Mwakitolyo Ward, located 124 kilometres northwest of Shinyanga Municipality, is home to a vibrant but vulnerable population consisting mainly of small-scale miners, traders, and their families.
Due to the mobile nature of artisanal mining, which often emerges in remote and underserved areas, these activities tend to attract individuals—particularly men—who engage in risk-taking behaviours and have access to disposable income.
This environment often fosters unsafe social and sexual practices, thereby increasing the community’s vulnerability to HIV. As a result, Mwakitolyo faces a heightened risk of HIV transmission, underscoring the urgent need for targeted health interventions and sustained awareness efforts.
To help address this challenge, the THPS Afya Hatua project has stepped in to bring vital HIV services right where they are needed most.
From November 2024 to March 2025, the project supported health workers from Mwakitolyo Dispensary to reach out to the community through mobile outreach efforts. During this time, 416 people were tested for HIV, and 19 individuals who tested positive were quickly linked to care at the dispensary’s HIV clinic.
Daniel Dyohoka, the Community HIV Tester and Clinic In-Charge, says the outreach has made a big difference.
“Miners have very busy schedules and often can’t make time for the clinic. By visiting them at mining sites, we make it easier for them to get tested and learn how to protect themselves,” he said.
The outreach team doesn’t just offer testing—they also educate people on HIV prevention. Over the past five months, 30 individuals (18 men and 12 women) started on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication that helps prevent HIV.
In addition, 559 people received HIV self-test kits, and two individuals who tested positive using the kits were successfully linked to care.
One of the people helped through the program is Johari Daniel, who shared her story:
“I was nervous about testing until I met the outreach team at my friend’s shop. They explained things clearly and gave us self-test kits.”
“I found out I was HIV positive, and the next day I went to the dispensary for a confirmatory test. They supported me every step of the way. With my mother’s encouragement, I’m now taking my medication and feeling hopeful.”
As of March 2025, 1,093 people—including 437 men and 657 women—have been enrolled in HIV care at Mwakitolyo Dispensary.
The THPS Afya Hatua project highlights the critical importance of delivering health services directly to communities. By reaching people in their own environments—particularly in remote and high-traffic areas such as mining sites—the project is playing a vital role in promoting better health outcomes and building a stronger, healthier future for all.
