Public-private partnership strengthens capacity to fight HIV/AIDS

The Tanzanian government has joined forces with the US-based Abbott Fund to enhance capacity in the health system and "dramatically improve" HIV/AIDS care with a state-of-the-art treatment centre and clinical laboratories costing US $35 million. The new facilities at Muhimbili National Hospital in the capital, Dar es Salaam, will treat up to 1,000 patients a day. According to Abbott Chief Executive Officer Miles White, "By modernising the facilities, improving hospital management and training staff we are fundamentally expanding the country's capacity to provide quality testing and treatment of HIV and other lifelong diseases." Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa noted that the initiative would further the goal of expanding the national treatment programme to reach more Tanzanians living with HIV.