Response to HIV/AIDS infections in Tanzania: the case of access to antiretroviral treatments in Dar es Salaam

The cry of HIV/AIDS had been a tremendous pandemic that has touched all sects of human life. Likewise, the responses to it necessarily require multi-sectorial approach to relinquish it. The pervasive strategies employed seem to require many efforts for meeting equitable dissemination of possible antidotes against the disaster. Hence, the study investigated the remedial measures promulgated by antiretroviral drugs in counteracting the epidemic. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It also used in-depth interviews, questionnaires, documentary reviews and non-participatory observations as its instruments of data collection. Results from this study revealed that access to antiretroviral treatments for all who required them according to clinical eligibility criteria were a far-fetched dream under low resource settings. The ever-existed gape between the rich and poor had a significant implication towards delimiting the great efforts laid down by the Tanzanian government with the assistance from the donors and activists in ensuring extended life-preserving antiretroviral treatments for all. The policy of free distribution of antiretroviral treatments to PLWHA targeted at bridging the gap, but due to human and material resource constraints, still the rich found more alternatives open for them, while the poor left with only one but congested pave to save their threatened lives. With regard to the nature of the tragedy, important issues such as disclosure, stigma, wrong perceptions about ARVs, social acceptance, confidentiality, and distribution of centers, appropriate and reliable services, dosage facilities and others needed special attention. Finally, the research called for the policy makers, activists and all other stakeholders to pay attention on the provision of ART services to the most needed groups.