ZIHHTLP-Zanzibar Integrated HIV, Hepatitis, TB and Leprosy Programme

March 10, 2023, 9:55 a.m.

STI's SERVICES

Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) and other Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) are highly prevalent in many communities worldwide. They cause considerable morbidity, increase the risk of acquiring HIV infections and are costly to individual and the society in general. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of STIs/RTIs is an important public health measure, hence effective management of STIs and RTIs is one of the cornerstones of their control. This prevents the development of complications, decreases the spread of those infections and HIV in the community and offers unique opportunities for targeted educations about reproductive health. Condom programming including promotion and distribution is another cornerstone of prevention of HIV and other STIs. STIs/RTIs services are provided in all 253 (161 in Unguja and 92 in Pemba) health facilities in Zanzibar.

Admin

March 10, 2023, 9:54 a.m.

KEY POPULATION SERVICES

Key Populations (KPs) are people that are at higher risk of being infected with HIV and other STI/RTI infections. In Zanzibar, three groups of people that have been documented to be at higher risk of acquiring HIV infection are Men having Sex with other Men (MSM), Sex Workers (SW) and People who inject drugs (PWID). KPs play a key role in driving HIV epidemic; hence their involvement in HIV interventions is vital to ensure an effective and sustainable HIV response. Besides, KPs are at higher risk of acquiring other infections such as syphilis and viral hepatitis. In Zanzibar, Ministry of Health (MoH) through Zanzibar Integrated HIV, TB and Leprosy Programme (ZIHTLP) is mandated to coordinate and implement all health services related KPs interventions. HIV related interventions for KPs started in 2003, whereby peer educators were involved in conducting home visit activities at community level so as to identify other KPs, provide HIV/STIs prevention education, distribute condoms as well as to refer identified HIV positive clients to care and treatment and other related clinics. To date there are three KPs-friendly service centres situated at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, ZAYEDESA and Methadone Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic at Kidongo Chekundu – Unguja. There is also one National and various local NGOs, which in collaboration with other KPs stakeholders, continue to implement KPs intervention in Zanzibar.

Admin

March 10, 2023, 9:53 a.m.

PMTCT SERVICES

Ministry of Health Zanzibar established Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in 2005 at 3 antenatal clinics (ANC), and to date, the services are provided at 168 reproductive and child health (RCH) clinics (100 Unguja and 68 Pemba), across all ten districts of Zanzibar. PMTCT program targets women of reproductive health, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, their partners and infants. In addition, early infant diagnosis (EID) is a component of PMTCT program that entails early identification of HIV-exposed and infected infants for prompt management to improve their wellbeing and survival. All identified HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women are initiated lifelong ART soon after diagnosis, regardless of immunologic (CD4 count) or clinical (WHO staging) status,in accordance with Option B+ strategy recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).

Admin

March 10, 2023, 9:48 a.m.

HIV TESTING SERVICES

HIV Testing Services (HTS) were established in Zanzibar in 1988. This unit has the responsibility of coordinating the testing activities through three main approaches: 1. Client Initiated Counselling and Testing (VCT)/Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) 2. Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) 3. Mobile HIV Testing and Counselling The HTS have been established in 123 sites which are located in all 10 districts of Zanzibar. These sites include Government facilities, NGOs, FBOs as well as Private hospitals and clinics; among them, 26 sites provide VCT services alone, 50 provide PITC services alone and 47 provide both PITC and VCT services.

Admin

Partners

CDC ICAP PEPFAR The Global Fund UNAIDS

Important Links

Ministry of Health Zanzibar National AIDS Control Programme

Contact Us

Ministry of Health,

Zanzibar Integrated HIV, Hepatitis,

TB and Leprosy Programme,

P.O Box 1300,

Tel/Fax: +255-242-234044,

Mnazi Mmoja, Zanzibar.