In 2018 THPS received The Global Fund support as a Sub recipient to Amref Health Tanzania to implement comprehensive combination HIV and TB prevention activities for key populations i.e. people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and other vulnerable populations i.e. fisher folks, truck drivers, miners, plantation workers in thirteen regions (Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Tanga, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya, Mtwara, Pwani, Mara, Simiyu, Shinyanga, and Kigoma) covering 27 districts under the MLANGO project.
‘MLANGO’, a Swahili word for door, carries a broad message of hope for the project’s beneficiaries in opening up access to quality health services. These groups have limited access to health services including HIV prevention, care, and support and yet are at much higher risk of acquisition of HIV and other opportunistic infections. The MLANGO project (April 2018 through December 2020).
THPS uses community-based combination prevention approach that entails biomedical, behavioural and structural interventions implemented in partnership with communities and civil society. Other key stakeholders are MOHCDGEC through National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and National TB and Leprosy Program (NTLP), PO-RALG, Tanzania AIDS Commission (TACAIDS), and Tanzania Drug Control and Enhancement Authority (DCEA). At regional and district levels, THPS works closely with Local Government Authorities, 13 indigenous national umbrella NGOS and 23 community based organisations. Selected key and vulnerable populations (KVPs) trained as peers assist with identification of hot spots, peer to peer counselling, facilitate referral to health facilities after the initial community interventions.
Mlango Project’s Geographical Coverage
Project Goal
Increase coverage of HIV and AIDS services in key population and ensuring that by 2020
- 90% of people living with HIV knows their status
- 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV are enrolled, followed and receive timely and efficacious highly active antiretroviral therapy
- 90% of all people receiving the antiretroviral therapy will attain sustainable viral suppression
- increase TB case detection by 29% through strengthening routine case notifications and addressing vulnerable groups such as elderly, prisoners, miners and diabetics