THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director for Tanzania Craig Hart has reaffirmed the agency’s continued support of health programmes implemented in Lindi Region.

He made the remarks recently when he visited Lindi Region to observe implementation of programmes funded by the agency. He was accompanied by Dr. Marina Njelekela, Chief of Party for USAID ‘Afya Yangu’ southern and Dr. Beatrice Christian, Deputy Chief of Party.

Hart said that USAID will continue to support programmes that make an impact that matters in Lindi Region and complement the government’s effort in improving access to quality health services in Lindi.

At Sokoine Regional Referral Hospital, Hart talked about the USAID support over years and supported services including the ones supported by USAID Afya Yangu southern project.

He acknowledged their capacity to manage direct funding as well as showcasing regional sustainability plan/road map and what has been achieved so far.

He also visited Care and Treatment Center at Sokoine Regional Referral Hospital and met the Community Youth Peer (Sitetereki Youth) who conduct demand creation through small group discussion and one on one discussion in the communities

Other areas he visited are Facility Peer Champion  who sit at OPD to conduct Peer led OPTIMIZED PITC screening, Teen Club Peer, Young Mothers who attend PMTCT services and HIV negative children as well as CTC Rooms starting with data room which showcased how they keep files, uses of three boxes model, CTC database, Biometric Trend.

The USAID Afya Yangu southern project is a five-year (November 2021 to November 2026) which is being managed by Deloitte Consulting Limited and implemented by local government authorities, health facilities, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs).

The program aims at supporting the government—Ministry of Health and the President’s Office- Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) to deliver high quality integrated HIV and TB prevention care and treatment services, particularly for youth and children through a comprehensive client centred approach leading to improved health outcomes.

The USAID project provides technical and material assistance as well as administrative and management support to the government to increase their capacity to manage and deliver quality HIV/TB services.

The project is the main implementing partner for HIV and TB interventions in Lindi Region. Lindi has a total of 263 health facilities in six councils.

It supports 98 out of 130 health facilities providing care and treatment services in all 6 supported councils. It aims to achieve three intermediate result areas namely, improved access to quality, client-centred HIV and TB services; improved ability of individuals to practice positive health-seeking behaviours and enhanced enabling environment for quality HIV/TB service provision.