PEPFAR donates 34 motorcycles to accelerate HIV fight in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has donated 34 motorcycles worth Sh116.35 million to accelerate the fight of the pandemic in Dar es Salaam.

The transport gears were handed over to the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Albert Chalamila, through the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (US CDC), as part of efforts to support the community outreach services.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Temeke Referral Hospital yesterday, the Global AIDS Coordinator PEPFAR, Mr John Nkengasong said the motorcycles are expected to make a significant impact in the fight against the pandemic by providing essential services to the most vulnerable communities in the city.

“I hope that the equipment handed over today will further strengthen the community outreach services, which include HIV self-testing and social network testing services, index testing, community ART delivery for stable clients who reside far from health facilities, tracking of clients with interrupted treatment, and linking them back to care,” he said.

In addition to the handover, Ambassador Nkengasong who was accompanied by other executives of global agencies, visited the laboratory and Methadone Assisted Therapy clinic at the Temeke Hospital.

In 2003, the US government announced the relief fund (PEPFAR) which targets to control the epidemic by preventing new infections and reduce the HIV-related deaths in more than 50 countries.

PEPFAR through CDC does supporting and addressing public health priorities through evidence-based and innovative interventions in collaboration with the government, other partners and communities. “We remain committed to leveraging our resources, capabilities, and expertise to achieve our goals,” said Ambassador Nkengasong.