United States has lately warned Tanzania against the decision of shutting down about forty HIV/AIDS clinics saying it may cause a flare-up of the epidemic among the infected people.
Tanzanian government banned Friday many HIV/AIDS clinics accusing those have been promoting homosexuality. Threats to publish names of gay people who are alleged of selling online sex was also issued.
The Deputy health minister Hamisi Kigwangalla said government will be investigating the homosexuality syndicate and those who will found guilty will be arrested and prosecuted.
The US embassy is Dar es Salaam said Tanzanian government decision to ban such health centers could impact the HIV/AIDS programs funded by the American government.
The embassy further added the move could impede progress made in recent few years in addressing the epidemic in the country.
From a statement on the official Facebook page of the embassy it is learned the Tanzanian government didn’t notify the US about the changes and this could impact the US Government funded programs.
Sex between two males is punishable offence in the country and could lead to life imprisonment ranging from thirty years. However, surprisingly there is no ban mentioned in the penal code on lesbian relations.
About 23 percent homosexuals in Tanzania are living with HIV/AIDS, reveals a data released in 2016.
Until recent time the politicians have not focused on gay community like what neighboring Uganda does.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said recently they have suspended provisions of HIV and AIDS services at about forty drop-in ceters which were operated by NGOs.
