10 VILAGES BENEFITED BY BMF’S COMMUNITY INTERVERNTION ACTIVITY

The Benjamin W. Mkapa Foundation (BMF) carried out community intervention activity in 10 villages in Mkapa Fellows Program Phase II (MFP II) supported sites in Shinyanga, Kagera and Simiyu regions. This community intervention activity aimed to increase community awareness on services available at the health facility, community knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention care and treatment. Furthermore health services such as HIV counseling and testing, CTC refilling services, CTC client defaulter tracing, RCH services including PMTCT were provided. The aim is to  improve service utilization and improve HIV/AIDS care and treatment services, reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, stigma and discrimination among People Living with HIV  and AIDS.

Service providers attentively examining the client’s leg during the climax of the community intervention which was held in Ilogi village, Msalala DC on 1^st December 2016

Speaking at the climax of the activity on 1^st of December 2016 in Ilogi Village, which also went along with commemoration of the Worlds AIDs day, Dr. HamadiNyembo,District Medical Officer of Msalala DC said that, the people of Ilogi and surrounding villages travels long distance for medical services, it is great opportunity that the intervention has come to them.

He urged the community members to encourage each other to show up to receive the various health services check up that was provided in the intervention. He further emphasized the importance taking health precautions and having a good health.

Speaking on behalf of ACACIA Mining who have been supporting BMF’s intervention within the region, Sara Teri, Section Leader Community Relations said that, the mining company is bringing people from all partsof Tanzania and from abroad,  hence it is crucial for everyone to takes care for his/her own health. She continuedsaying that ACACIA through the Corporate Social Responsibility pillar, will sustain  its effort in ensuringthat the people of Msalala DC and surroundings, are receiving appropriate and quality health services, as a complementary efforts made by the Government of Tanzania.

Sara Teri, ACACIA’s Section Leader Community Relation speaking to the community members during the climax of the community intervention which was held in Ilogi village, Msalala DC on 1^st December 2016

Giving remarks the coordinator of the activity, Dr. Ole Mkopi, BMF’s Regional Program Officer, said that the intervention which started on 24^th Novmber 2016 until today 1^st December 2016 has been carried out in 10 villages namely Nyangili, Malangale, Songambele, Buduhe, Butuyu, Mwasubi, Lwabakanga, Number 9, Igwamanoni and Ilogi.

He continues that the services that are available includes HIV testing and counseling, Care and Treatment (CTC) services, counseling for Pregnant mothers for Prevention of Mothers to Children HIV Transmission (PMTCT), providing services to under-fives and screening of Cervical  Cancer. Also to identify the lost to follow patients and return them to the health care.

Sara Teri, ACACIA’s Section Leader Community Relation speaking to the community members during the climax of the community intervention which was held in Ilogi village, Msalala DC on 1^st December 2016

Giving remarks the coordinator of the activity, Dr. Ole Mkopi, BMF’s Regional Program Officer, said that the interventions which started on 24^thNovmber 2016 until 1^st December 2016 have been carried out in 10 villages namely Nyangili, Malangale, Songambele, Buduhe, Butuyu, Mwasubi, Lwabakanga, Number 9, Igwamanoni and Ilogi.

He continued saying  that the services that were made available include HIV testing and counseling, Care and Treatment (CTC) services, counseling for Pregnant mothers for Prevention of Mothers to Children HIV Transmission (PMTCT), providing services to under-fives and screening of Cervical  Cancer. Also they did identify the lost to follow patients and return them to the health care.