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SPEECH BY EU HEAD OF DELEGATION TO
TANZANIA, H.E. AMBASSADOR TIM CLARKE, ON THE OCCASION OF A VISIT TO
THE NJORO ARV MANUFACTURING PLANT IN ARUSHA ON WORLD AIDS
DAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, Today I wanted to be here on World Aids Day, to celebrate this major new facility in Arusha which, when fully operational, will provide up to one half of all AIDS sufferers in Tanzania with Anti-Retro-Viral tablets. It will also enable to Government to reach its target of locally manufacturing one half of all its AIDS drugs. And what is more, it will be using cutting edge technology. I applaud TPI and Action Medeor for building this anti-retrovirals production plant. Although the prevalence of Aids in Tanzania is not as high as in some of neighbouring countries, this average figure hides major regional differences. Whilst the average incidence seems to be stabilising at 6 to 7 %, in Iringa and Mbeya it reaches 15 %, and in parts of the tea-growing areas in Mufindi that I have visited it reaches a staggering 40 %. In Zanzibar, the prevalence of AIDS is less than 1%. The European Union is one of the major contributors to the international fight against Aids. Here in Tanzania we have focused particularly on education and preventative health, notably through awareness campaigns conducted amongst the Police services and their families. This 5 million Euro (11 Billion T Sh) project is a departure for us, looking instead at building the capacity within Tanzania to produce its own AIDS pharmaceutical products at highly competitive prices using cutting edge technologies. Running costs will be significantly reduced by using solar heating for drying the product and roof insulation for the building itself. Let me say a few words about AIDS itself. No-one should doubt the enormous potential negative impact of HIV and its ability to destroy communities' livelihoods. Many ofTanzania's neighbours in Southern Africa have suffered massive economic losses as AIDS has swept through their communities. AIDS - affected populations have seen decades of economic gains wiped out, and public services destroyed. In a country such as Swaziland, in 15 years the AIDS prevalence jumped from 3.2 % to 19 %. The average Life Expectancy of its population fell from 60 years in 1997 to 31 years in 2004 - just 7 years! In the same period maize production dropped 54 %. 31 % of its children are now orphans. The society has been devastated. This is not fiction. Efforts are now being made to address the problem. But the social and economic costs have been devastating No-one should allow this to take place in Tanzania. But the picture is not too rosy. As I have said above, the average HIV/AIDS prevalence is 7 % but this figure masks huge differences. The most shocking statistic I have seen comes from Mufindi. The tea growers and their communities have no future unless the 40 % incidence figure is drastically cut. Thousands of children are becoming orphans, with no prospects. Communities are being destroyed by this disease. Let me take the opportunity presented by my visit here to show our solidarity with the Government of Tanzania to fight HIV/AIDS at its roots, to emphasize the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care for all her citizens, to break the taboo on AIDS and fight stigma and discrimination by strong public statements and other actions in support of people living with HIV/AIDS, and to ensure adequate resources are allocated in the health care budget. (the AU Summit in 2001 urged Governments to allocate 15 % of the health budget for this purpose). As I said earlier on the European Union is currently playing a major role across the African continent in fighting HIV/AIDS. As part of our worldwide campaign against HIV/AIDS, we in the European Union are calling for a range of actions to be taken by governments and other stakeholders: Firstly, exceptional efforts are needed to intensify effective prevention and treatment measures on a scale and on a scope that will reverse the HIV/AIDS epidemic – invest now or pay later! -Juhudi zinahitajika kupunguza maambukizi na kutoa huduma ya matibabu kupunguza maambukizi ya UKIMWI. Secondly, for leaders at all levels to break the silence and taboo - become better informed, active and demonstrate visible leadership in intensifying prevention. Viongozi tuvunje ukimya, tushiriki kikamilifu katika kukabiliana na maambukizi mapya. Thirdly, to actively promote the development and application of new preventive methodologies such as vaccines and microbicides. In the case of Tanzania, 9 Million Euros, about 19 Billon Tanzanian Shillings, have been invested in this area to support scientific research carried out by the Mbeya Medical Research Centre. This project marks a dramatic advance in the capacity of Tanzania to fight the disease and help 400,000 sufferers to find some means of treatment. -Tuhamsishe matumizi ya chanjo dhidi ya maambukizi mapya. Fourthly, since a major cause of the spread of HIV/AIDS is sexual violence by men against women and children, all efforts must be made to eradicate such violence. -Juhudi zaidi zinahitajika kutokomeza ukatili wa kijinsia dhidi ya wanawake kupunguza maambukizi miongoni mwa wanawake. Finally, let me finish by applauding once again the efforts by all the partners in this project: TPI, Action Medeor and the Government of Tanzania and its agencies in making this project happen. It has not been an easy task, but everyone can be proud of what has been achieved. And hopefully all the highly professional and trained staff within this project will use their knowledge and skills gained to build on this expertise and contribute to expanding Tanzania’s pharmaceutical commercial activities both in Tanzania and the region – the nucleus of a new, technologically advanced, industry. We in the EU are committed to support this fight, in association with other partners and ultimately to bring this scourge under control. I wish you every success Tanzania Bila Ukimwi,
Inawezekana !!
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