AIDS takes its toll

by Simba Nyamaume

A total of 77 people have died of AIDS in the Arusha municipality during the last six months.

The Municipal Executive Director, Mr. Noah Mwaikuka said in a statement that the deaths occurred between April and September this year out of some 626 AIDS patients admitted in hospitals, health centres and dispensaries.

According to the director, some 3,217 persons (1,853 males and 1,364 females) were tested for HIV and of these 646 (317 males and 329 females) were found HIV positive. Mr. Mwaikuka has put the rate of infection of HIV/AIDS in the Arusha municipality at 16 per cent but adding that the prevalence of the disease could be between 14 and 30 per cent.

It has been learnt that 18 health workers out of a target of 30 were given training on Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling in health centres within the municipality. According to Mwaikuka the target number could not be reached due to insufficient funding.

He said that the community has not received enough sensitization on caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and that the municipal council in collaboration with non governmental organizations (NGOs) and Community- Based Organizations (CBOs) is looking for training funds.

Mr. Mwaikuka also noted that many health workers lack sufficient knowledge on data collection on HIV/AIDS cases.

He put the rate of infection of HIV/AIDS in the Arusha municipality at16 per cent but he also noted that the prevalence of the disease is between 14 and 30 per cent.

Meanwhile, Some 156 infants out of 1,993 admitted in hospitals, health centres or dispensaries during the period in question died of severe pneumonia, prematurity and other diseases.

Malaria was leading among the top 10 out- patients disease (OPD), and some 47,826 malaria patients comprising 15,212 over five year olds and 32,614 under five years olds were treated during the period. The second leading disease was acute respiratory infection (ARI) with 32,051 treated patients including 12,735 over five year olds and 19,316 under five year olds. Arusha municipality has a total of 62 hospitals, health centres and dispensaries. 

Last modified: October 23, 2003.
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