On January 31, 2023, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Winnie Byanyima visited the offices of the National Council of People Living with HIV (NACOPHA) in Dar es Salaam. This significant visit provided an opportunity for Dr. Byanyima to engage directly with the NACOPHA Board, various networks of people living with HIV, including the youth network, women’s platform, and special groups.

Dr. Byanyima expressed her admiration for the substantial work NACOPHA has been doing to support and advocate for people living with HIV in Tanzania. She reaffirmed UNAIDS’ commitment to continue collaborating with NACOPHA, highlighting the importance of bringing together services to reach people living with HIV (PLHIV) and addressing the challenges they face. She emphasized, “We must ensure we fight AIDS, uphold children’s rights, eliminate stigma, and advocate for human rights to achieve better outcomes in the HIV response.”

During the visit, Dr. Byanyima was accompanied by Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Dr. Martin Odit, UNAIDS Country Director for Tanzania. The delegation had in-depth discussions with NACOPHA’s leadership and various stakeholders about the ongoing and future initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS.

The visit was a testament to the strong partnership between UNAIDS and NACOPHA and their shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV in Tanzania. Dr. Byanyima’s engagement with the community and her encouragement highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing HIV/AIDS and ensuring the rights and well-being of those affected by the epidemic.