BRITAIN has maintained its support for Tanzania in the fight against HIV/AIDS to achieve the goals of eliminating new infections, combating stigma and curbing AIDS-related deaths.

David Concar, the high commissioner, made this pledge in a reception for 71 British climbers who participated in the annual GGM Kili Challenge in Kilimanjaro Region over the weekend.

This mountain climbing campaign is organised by Geita Gold Mining Ltd (GGML) in collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS).

The UK is one of the major donors to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and Malaria where country allocations are being made for 2024 – 2026, he said, noting that the UK is contributing £1bn to the fund, which in turn will allocate $602m to Tanzania.

James Nzuamkende, the GGML representative, said that the campaign, now in its 22nd year, is meant to raise funds for enhancing government efforts to achieve zero infection targets.

He expressed gratitude to donor agencies, diplomatic missions and campaign participants for their contributions as they are crucial for the campaign to succeed, while Dr Jerome Kamwela, the TACAIDS acting executive director confirmed that good progress was being made in the effort.

He said Tanzania is largely on track towards international long-term and intermediate goals, which include achieving 95-95-95 targets by next year, noting that 1.7m people are living with HIV at present.

The effort seeks to have 95 percent of the population knowing their status when affected, an effort that has attained 83 percent of the estimated target population, he said, noting that the 95 percent of those living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy (ART) stands at 98 percent, surpassing the target.

The third target of 95 percent of those on ART achieving substantial viral suppression was also in good stead, he said, pointing at a diminution in new infections based on recent data.

Martin Shigella, the Geita regional commissioner, applauded GGML's efforts in supporting the government to address the scourge, urging other well-placed organisations to also take up the fight.