United States Launches New Care and Treatment Center in Tanga District

Minister for Health, Dr. Haji Mponda

Government officials, hospital staff, and community members gathered to formally launch the new HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Center (CTC) located at Bombo Regional Hospital in Tanga Municipality, Tanga Region. This modern CTC will provide HIV testing, counseling, and treatment services to more than 1.6 million residents of Tanga.

The guest of honor, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Honorable Dr. Haji Mponda, welcomed representatives from the governments of Tanzania and the United States and formally inaugurated the building. Dr. Stefan Wiktor, acting Country Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Tanzania represented the American people. In his remarks, he encouraged people of Tanga to take advantage of the new facility. He stated, “This new Care and Treatment Center, built with support from the American people, represents a strong partnership between our two nations. Now more than 1.6 million people have more convenient and high quality access to HIV care and treatment. This is a victory for Tanga.”

Service provision will include free access to Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV) throughout the week as well as counseling and support from a well-trained and skilled medical staff. Over 9,473 people have been enrolled in HIV care and treatment at the center since 2005 and will continue to benefit from these services in the new clinic.

The construction of Bombo CTC is a gift from the American people through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in collaboration with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. Direct support for the clinic is based on a partnership between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and AIDS Relief.

The United States of America is a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS worldwide through PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This 10-year program is the largest initiative in history to combat a single disease. Since 2004, the American people have provided over $1.5 billion to combat HIV/AIDS throughout Tanzania.

The United States will continue to work closely with the United Republic of Tanzania to strengthen the health of this nation and fulfill President Kikwete’s vision of a “Tanzania free of HIV.”