HIV/AIDS funding in Tanzania expected to total $476 million, government report says

Funding for HIV/AIDS in Tanzania from the government and international donors from 2007 to 2008 is expected to total more than 568 billion Tanzanian shillings, or about $476 million, according to a recently released government report, the Africa Science News Service reports.

According to the report, aid from the U.S. and the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria accounted for 86% of donor support in 2007 and might increase to more than 90% in 2008. In addition, the report found that funding for HIV/AIDS services is expected to equal 10% of all public expenditure in the country, or about 3% of Tanzania's gross domestic product.

The report also noted that in 2006, HIV treatment and care represented 64% of combined U.S. and Global Fund aid. HIV prevention accounted for 15% of total expenditure, and economic and social support accounted for 8% in 2006, the report found.

The report also predicts continued increases in HIV/AIDS aid at levels of more than 500 billion shillings, or about $419 million, in 2008. However, the increase is based on the confirmation of a proposed increase in funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to $300 million, Africa Science News Service reports (Neondo, Africa Science News Service, 5/7).