Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS are often concurrent diseases and have been claiming the lives of many women and a significant portion of the community, especially in peripheral areas here in Tanzania.

PH-Tanzania has been actively providing education to communities, particularly pregnant women, to empower them to protect themselves from various health issues, including TB and HIV. We recognize the significant risks these diseases pose to pregnant women and, therefore, provide education to prevent infections and offer self-protection measures.

It is evident that significant challenges still exist in the control and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in Tanzania. These challenges include delays in patients seeking treatment, limited community participation, stigma associated with TB and HIV, and poor adherence to TB treatment, leading to an increased threat of drug-resistant TB. To address these challenges, the implementation of community-based TB services is strongly emphasized, with a focus on extensive education in collaboration with community health workers (CHWs). At PH-Tanzania, we have been working closely with CHWs as a link between them and the healthcare system in Tanzania.

In collaboration with the government, we emphasize the importance of community engagement, especially for pregnant women, in healthcare facilities and early initiation of treatment. Additionally, we provide recommendations to the government on strategies to reduce congestion and unnecessary queues at healthcare facilities. Our primary goal is to establish a sustainable and effective approach to control and prevent new infections of TB and HIV, especially among pregnant women and children, for the well-being of families and the nation as a whole.