Sexual, Reproductive,
Health & Rights
Who We Are/About us
HIV/AID
HIV/AIDS remain one among the crisis that faces Tanzania and the world as a whole as it affects all sectors and all people regardless of the age, gender, education or any socio-economic status.
Globally 36.9 million people are living with HIV/AIDS while only 51% among them know their HIV status, (WHO, 2015). In, 2014 UNAIDS reported that, there are 25 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and that makes sub-Saharan Africa to be the most affected region in the world.
We also believe that through partnerships and efforts with different stakeholders, we can achieve 90-90-90 goals and ending AIDS epidemic in Tanzania by 2030. So far Tanzania has made remarkable progress towards the 90-90-90 goals, and that gives us confidence and strength of fighting against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
WHAT WE DO
In line with UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals, we promote HIV testing in communities, schools, colleges and universities, health facilities, and at hotspots so that people know their HIV status and consequently of all people with diagnosed
HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible
HIV/AIDS information outreach particularly on HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support options available in the community and at local health facilities with a view to increasing the demand for comprehensive, quality care, treatment and support services.
Home-based community based care (HBCBC) and psychosocial support for PLHA: SOFT offer a range of services to individuals and families infected and affected by HIV and AIDS to ensure that the basic needs of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) are met
Health promotion to communities, schools, colleges and universities to encourage people to change their sexual behavior and to practice safe sex at all times
NUTRITION
Good Nutrition is vital for good health and wellbeing of every human being particularly in the first 1000 days of life. The role of nutrition in a person’s development is of utmost importance to their lifelong health. Despite of the incredible efforts done in Tanzania to improve nutritional status, yet nutrition condition of the population particularly children and women is facing challenges that need to be addressed. TCSO works with government, communities, donors and other stakeholders to implement nutrition programs in the communities for the purpose of addressing health problems resulted from nutrition deficiency TDHS, 2015-2016 [In Tanzania One-third (34%) of children under age 5 are stunted (short for their age); 5% are wasted (thin for their height) and 14% are underweight (thin for their age)], [ 9% of children age 6-23 months are fed according to the minimum acceptable dietary standards] and [One in ten women age 15-49 are underweight, while 18% are overweight and 10% are obese]
WHAT WE DO
- Provide nutrition counseling at family, school, community and health facility levels on the importance of nutrition (make it priority despite of the economic situation)
- Establishing food banks with donations from individuals, local community groups, and other NGOs
- Providing working gears [seeds and fertilizers] to poor households
- Support maternal and child nutrition: Community outreach activities to counsel pregnant women, lactating women and families on the importance of nutrition
- Nutritional Care for People Living with HIV and NCDs patients
- Conduct Behaviors Change Communication to prevent nutrition related harmful traditional practices
Maternal and Child Health
The government’s implementation of high-impact health programmes such as routine immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and improved management of common childhood illnesses, has saved the lives of thousands of children across the country.
However, challenges persist, and preventable and treatable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and neonatal conditions continue to claim the lives of Tanzanian children every day. Early marriage and childbearing remain high in some regions and economic groups, worsening existing vulnerabilities.
Largely preventable and treatable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea cause the death of 270 children under 5 years of age every day. There are wide socio-economic and geographical disparities in child mortality, largely due to inequities in access to, and use of, health services. Regional and economic inequities cause imbalances in child survival. Under-five mortality swings from 56 per 1,000 live births in the Northern regions, 88 per 1,000 live births in the Lake regions, and from 87 per 1,000 live births in the urban mainland to 76 per 1,000 live births in the rural mainland.
WHAT WE DO
TCSO is supporting the Tanzanian government to strengthen the enabling national environment; improve the district health system to plan and monitor services; reinforce sub-national capacity to deliver quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services; and empower individuals, families and communities to adopt healthy family practices.
TCSO provides focused support to two regions in the mainland with the lowest maternal and child health indicators (Mbeya and Songwe). This support targets the most disadvantaged children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women
Mental Health
Every day, an estimated 810 women die from preventable pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes around the world. When a woman dies or becomes disabled from pregnancy or childbirth, the consequences can impact families for decades.
For newborn children in countries with limited resources, HIV presents a severe threat to growing up healthy. Globally, more than 90 percent of infants and young children with HIV contract the virus from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. While the risk of transmission from mother to child can be as high as 45 percent, with targeted interventions, this risk can be reduced to as little as two percent.
Ensuring the health of women and their infants requires that all women have access to accessible, high-quality antenatal care during pregnancy, skilled care during labor and delivery, and care and support during the postpartum period
WHAT WE DO
TCSO works with ministries of health to ensure that health workers receive the pre-service and in-service training they need to prevent maternal mortality. This includes inclusive training, supports integrated programs for maternal and child health and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), Psychosocial support is an integral component of TCSO-supported PMTCT programs. Through individual counseling and support groups, HIV-infected mothers and family members learn about treatment adherence, coping skills, and safer infant feeding practices.
Menstrual Hygiene
- For girls in schools especially public schools
- Number of pit latrines as per policy [one pit latrine for 20 girls and one pit latrine for 25 boys]
- Availability of disposal and incinerators
- Availability of special room for girl’s privacy
- Availability of a special teacher [for both girls and boys] who can speak to them especially during puberty stage.
- Availability of water supply in schools, especially in toilets and for drinking
- Provision of free pads in school, public schools
Safety of school girls within and out of school
- No disciplinary action that embarrass/humiliate the girl’s child
- Availability of food
- School should be fenced
- Availability of hostels
Family Planning
Gender Based Violence (GBV)
Non-government organization working to provide Services to people in need, to advocate for justice and social structure by influencing change in policies, programs, and practices.
Quick Link
Contact Us
- P.O Box 198 Mbeya
- Lupa way street 5/Uzunguni, Mbeya, Tanzania.
- +255 252 502 520
- hello@tumainicso.org
- www.tumainicso.org