Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 10088
Country/Region: Tanzania
Year: 2013
Main Partner: Drug Control Commission - Tanzania
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Host Country Government Agency
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $250,000

The goal of Drug Control Commission (DCC) project is to create a conducive environment to provide effective HIV prevention services among people who inject drugs (PWID) and people who use drugs (PWUD) in Tanzania. Specifically the program objectives are to sensitize the public, including decision makers at the government level on HIV prevention and care for PWUD; increase capacity of stakeholders participating in provision of HIV/AIDS and care for PWUD by 2013; and develop and maintain a system for monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS prevention services and care among PWUD.

The program is aligned with the PEPFAR goals, the MDG, UN declarations on HIV/AIDS, and various national documents, such as the National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS (2008-2012). The program coverage is Tanzania Mainland with initial coverage of needle-syringe programs (NSP), medically assisted treatment (MAT), and outreach services in Dar es Salaam, while M&E activities will be implemented in other urban locations with emerging services, including Mwanza, Mbeya, Arusha, and Tanga.

DCC is a government coordinating entity, though through this program, builds a sustainable response to the contribution of drug use in the HIV epidemic in Tanzania. The program advocates mainstreaming into existing services, encourages capacity building, and the involvement of communities and local government.

To ensure quality implementation of the program, a national M&E system is in the process of being developed that will enable systematic collection of data. Indicators for success are being developed and data collection systems established. The program also includes periodic planning and feedback meetings with stakeholders.

Funding for Prevention: Injecting and Non-Injecting Drug Use (IDUP): $250,000

HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains at relatively high rate in Tanzania. A study in 2006 found that HIV prevalence among PWID in Dar es Salaam was 42% (William, et al., 2009). There are also indications that the number of PWID is rising in the country. This high HIV prevalence and growing number of PWID poses a significant threat for HIV spread not only among PWID (estimated at around 50,000 people) but also to the general population through existing sexual and injection networks with unsafe sexual and injection practices.

In 2010, URT responded to the problem by developing a draft National Strategic Framework on HIV Prevention for Injecting Drug Users (2011-2012) (NSF) under the guidance of The Second National Multi-sectoral Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (2008-2012) with the involvement and support of different stakeholders. A comprehensive package of scientifically proven and evidence based HIV interventions for PWID and human rights obligations to receive treatment were among the fundamental principles in developing the document. The NSF set forth multi-sector strategies to be adopted to reduce the HIV spread among PWID in the country.

Some of the interventions advocated for are those considered to be the most effective in reducing HIV among PWID, such as needle-syringe programming (NSP), medically assisted treatment (MAT), and access to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Currently, NSP and MAT remain the least understood. Therefore, this program intends to provide the needed advocacy to establish these services in all of the three municipalities of Dar es Salaam City. In FY 2012, NSP and MAT programs will be established in two of the three municipalities and the program intends to sustain the services while expanding to the third municipality to complement ongoing initiatives providing comprehensive HIV prevention for PWID being undertaken by various stakeholders, including Muhimbili National Hospital. A Memorandum of Understanding between the DCC and MOHSW will guide the collaboration whereby the MOHSW will receive a sub-grant to expand MAT services and ensure access of sterile needles and syringes to PWID. Municipal councils where MAT services are expected to commence will be sub-granted to provide these services in collaboration with the MOHSW. PANGAEA Global AIDS Foundation will continue to provide the technical assistance for the initiatives.

The DCC is currently developing a national system for monitoring and evaluation of HIV interventions for people who use drugs (PWUD). The draft national M&E framework and program level M&E guideline for comprehensive HIV prevention for PWUD has been developed. The system will be rolled out initially in Dar es Salaam before expanding to other urban centers of Mwanza, Arusha, Mbeya, Tanga, and eventually other parts of the country. Furthermore, supportive supervision of ongoing services and evaluation meetings will be conducted.

Subpartners Total: $0
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare - Tanzania: NA
Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation: NA
Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $150,000
Human Resources for Health $150,000
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Increase gender equity in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support