OPENING OF NEW KATORO HEALTH CENTRE HIV/AIDS CARE AND TREATMENT CLINIC IN MWANZA REGION

                                  U.S. Embassy in Tanzania
                        Media advisory

                                                                             

           April 13, 2011

What:	Official Opening of the Katoro Health Center HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic
Who:	Guest of Honor : The District Commissioner for Geita, Philemon Shelutete Mwanza Regional Medical Officer, Dr. Meshak Massi Mwanza Regional AIDS Control Coordinator, Dr. Pius Massele Geita District Executive Director, Pangalukela Tatala Geita District Medical Officer, Dr.Abdalla Omari Dihenga USG Representation AIDSRelief  Representation
When:	10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Where:	Katoro Health Centre, Geita District, Mwanza Region

Mwanza Region:  On April 20, 2011, community members and government officials will gather to inaugurate the new HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) located at the Katoro Health Centre in Geita District, Mwanza Region.  The modern, five-room CTC will provide services to more than 39,400 residents in Katoro and serve as a referral point for lower health facilities in the area.

Service provision will include free access to Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV) throughout the week as well as counseling and support from a well-trained and skilled medical staff.  Over 916 people have enrolled in HIV care and treatment since the program began in February 2009 and will continue to benefit from these services in the new clinic.

The construction of Katoro CTC was funded by the American people through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in collaboration with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.  Direct support for the clinic is based on a partnership between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and AIDS Relief.

The United States of America is a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS worldwide through PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.  This 10-year program is the largest initiative in history to combat a single disease.  Since 2004, the American people have provided over $1.5 billion to combat HIV/AIDS throughout Tanzania.

The United States will continue to work closely with the United Republic of Tanzania to strengthen the health of this nation and fulfill President Kikwete’s vision of a “Tanzania free of HIV.”

For more information about this media opportunity, please contact Halima Mbaruku in the Press Office at the American Embassy at 266-8001ext. 4196.