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By Florence Mugarula
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday said his government was committed to the fight against HIV/Aids and asked for joint efforts to end the pandemic. Speaking in a teleconference from Dar es Salaam, where he was joined by former US President, George Bush, with audience in Washington DC, President Kikwete reminded rich nations and other donors that their assistance was still needed in the struggle.
He noted that Tanzania has made huge strides in the fight against the HIV virus, but there were still gaps and “some of these gaps are so huge for Tanzania to manage alone.” President Kikwete was speaking at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute on celebrations to mark the World Aids Day along with President Bush.According to President Kikwete, the disease was no longer a ‘death sentence’ in Tanzania since the US and other supporters have always stood with his government in the fight against the scourge.
“In the past, HIV/Aids was considered a death sentence, but after scientific advancement and availability of medication, the disease is no longer a death sentence. We thank the US for its continuous support in the fight against the deadly disease,” said President Kikwete.
In his speech, Mr Bush also reiterated US commitment to continue to assist developing national battle the scourge.He hailed the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), when serving as US President, saying the programme would continue to play a pivotal role in the war against the disease.He acknowledged Tanzania efforts, saying the government was recording great success in the battle against the disease.
“It is obvious that Tanzania is performing well, today we see and celebrate great success in the battle against the pandemic,” said Mr Bush. Meanwhile, President Kikwete said there was need to focus the fight in rural areas after it recorded tremendous achievements in urban areas.
He noted yesterday that although it appeared in the past that most HIV positive people lived in urban areas, rural areas were now seeing equal effects of the pandemic.The President said many people have tested voluntarily and awareness has increased in many parts of the country.
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