Tanzania needs to invest about $15.6 million (more than Sh40 billion) over the next four years to help eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B by 2030, according to a new study.
The study by Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and the ministry of Health shows that the investment could prevent 5,054 new infections among children and save 1,946 lives between 2027 and 2030, the study released yesterday found.
The study estimates that Tanzania has about 3.02 million pregnancies annually, with 2.71 million women attending antenatal care (ANC) at least once. Although 98.3 percent of pregnant women are tested for HIV at their first ANC visit, coverage falls to 45.4 percent for repeat testing during the final three months of pregnancy.
For syphilis, 83 percent of pregnant women are tested, below the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of 95 percent, while 91.9 percent of those diagnosed receive treatment.
The gaps are wider for hepatitis B. HBsAg testing among pregnant women stands at 45 percent, while HBeAg testing is not currently available.
Only 10 percent of pregnant women with hepatitis B receive preventive treatment with tenofovir (TDF).
EGPAF Tanzania Resident Director Dr Sajida Kimambo said the study was conducted to establish the resources required to support the Government’s efforts to eliminate the three infections.
‘We saw that the Ministry of Health had launched a good programme to address syphilis, HIV and hepatitis, so we decided to support those efforts by identifying the resources required to prevent mother-to-child transmission,’ she said.
The study estimates that $11.3 million would be needed for testing, treatment and prevention, while another $4.32 million would support health facility capacity, monitoring and community engagement.
Researchers estimate the investment could avert $16.9 million in lifetime treatment costs for children who avoid infection, including $15.5 million linked to preventing 2,489 HIV infections.
EGPAF Senior Technical Advisor Dr Catherine Nnko said Tanzania had incorporated the WHO elimination agenda into its national health strategies.
The study recommends increasing HBsAg testing to 90 percent and TDF coverage among eligible pregnant women to 90 percent by 2030.
It also proposes raising antiretroviral coverage among pregnant women living with HIV from 90.3 percent to 95 percent and viral suppression from 89.2 percent to 95 percent.
Researchers say the findings can guide resource allocation, service delivery and efforts to secure sustainable financing for the elimination targets.