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this page Provinces - The Anglican Church of Tanzania
Anglican Church of the Province of Tanzania (ACT) operates in all regions of Tanzania, covering a total area of 945,000sq miles with a total population of over 33 million people (2002). ACT has a total of 21 Dioceses with an estimated population of 1,540,366 baptised Anglicans. This is 5.3% of the total population and 21% of Tanzania Christians. The Provincial office plays the role of advocacy, networking, and monitoring and financial management.
The HIV/AIDS program focuses on the six main thematic areas proposed in CAPA strategic plan. To implement this, the Health Department is running the following HIV programs:
(i) Living With Hope HIV Programme
Living with Hope HIV/AIDS programme was launched in November 2001 to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS pandemic. The programme focuses on continuous improvement of health and social services provided by ACT Dioceses and Institutions.
The ACT Provincial office provided coordination and formed a network for the implementation of programmes.
The programme aims to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS amongst church leaders, women, youth, and adults in communities. The programme established several HIV activities in Dioceses including VCT centres, orphans programs, HBC and support group at parish level.
Through this programme the Church leaders skills and knowledge on how to cope with the increasing problems associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic have been enhanced through training. They have been charged with the role of disseminating HIV/AIDS information to the community members to increase HIV/AIDS awareness.
Programme Objectives and Implementation Strategy
The programme was initiated to facilitate the provision of quality implementation system and standard financial management system on the entire ACT-HIV/AIDS programmes. The objectives of the programme were:
- Establish and strengthen the Provincial HIV/AIDS office;
- Encourage coordination, networking and collaboration so as to improve communication with diocesan HIV/AIDS activities;
- Provide training to groups including women, youth and PLWHA;
- Ensuring that ACT VCT centres are established;
- Support the formation of PLWHA support groups;
- Provision of care and support through home-based care;
- Enhance capacity building among ACT staff to facilitate sustainability of the HIV/AIDS activities.
Programme Achievements
The programme has successfully implemented the following activities:
- Based on ACTs mission and vision statements, the Health Department has developed their integrated Strategic Plan;
- Establishment and strengthening of the Provincial HIV/AIDS office;
- The programme has facilitated awareness on HIV/AIDS providing training to pastors and Church leaders who are disseminating the HIV/AIDS messages to their parishes, community group and members of their congregation;
- 1,500 pastors and Church leaders have been trained to conduct counselling on HIV/AIDS and 182 youth trained as trainers across the Province;
- 16 VCT functional centres with effective referral networks have been established and some of its components have been implemented at the Provincial level.
- ACT Dioceses have facilitated trainings to group of women, youth and PLWHA who disseminate HIV/AIDS messages to their families, peer groups and local communities;
- Programme staff trained Diocesan staff using the stepping stone methodology and other skills related to counselling. In addition, the programme supported the dioceses to establish VCT centres and funded the training to counsellors;
- Dioceses were also supported to initiate the formation of nine support groups for people living with AIDS (PLWHA);
- Some Dioceses have initiated home-based care to PLWAs and orphan care;
- The programme enhances networking and collaboration among the ACT Dioceses in their initiative or activities;
- Living with hope programme has improved and empowered the church leaders with skills and knowledge to handle other HIV/AIDS situation and provided psychological support to the pastors;
- There are positive changes in culture beliefs and values associated with HIV/AIDS transmission due to increased awareness. Also the ACT has recorded an increasing trend of the number of people attending the VCT centres and there is increased number of premarital testing.
(ii) Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)
This 2-year programme addresses HIV prevention and care, renovation of the existing infrastructures for reproductive health care and provision of nevirapine and other ARVs. The programme has established 6 PMTCT sites within ACT health institutions.
(iii) HIV/AIDS Youth Programme
This 3-year programme (2003-2006) aimed to create HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention to the young people of Tanzania.
(iv) Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria Programme
This is a special programme funded by Global Fund aimed at combating 3 diseases HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The programme works together with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 45 districts as identified by the MoH.
The ACT won the Round 3 Global Fund application among several institutions applied and was able to implement the program in 5 sites namely; Muheza, Iringa, Mbeya, Njombe and Korogwe Hospitals among 11 ACT hospitals and more than 35 Health centres. The objectives of the project are:
- Increase the number of sexually active population (15-49 years) accessing the VCT services in 45 target districts;
- Provide PLWHA and TB patients access to comprehensive care and support services in all 11 ACT hospitals and more than 35 health facilities;
- Increase number of VCT centres and offer screening and treatment to PLWHA, TB patients in ACT hospitals and health centres;
- Increase the number of community care and supports groups, undertaking community mobilization and sensitisation to increase acceptance of PLWHA and TB patients;
- Strengthen the capacity of MoH and partners to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the HIV/AIDS/TB and malaria programmes.
A number of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria prevention and care activities were embarked upon in order to achieve these objectives at different levels of the Province.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation is conducted periodically at levels of the Church (Province, Diocese and Parish) making use of indicators developed.
Lessons Learnt
- Change of attitudes and culture is not easy. Continuous education is crucial, face-to-face counselling and spiritual teaching;
- Need for comprehensive care approach i.e. treatment care and support;
- There is increased openness, which is replacing the climate of shame, secrecy and denial. This is a good sign of reduction of stigma towards the infected and affected;
- Need for mobile testing programmes to reach people in rural areas.
Programme Challenges
- High drop out workers in ACT hospitals;
- Stigmatisation and discrimination especially at family levels;
- The ARVs should go with nutrition support;
- Sustainability of programmes;
- Limitation of funds due to donor policies and interest. Global Fund can only fund 45 districts in Tanzania and hence ACT obtained funds for only 5 sites out of 21 Dioceses.
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