HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Tanzania: criminal law and public health law at cross roads

This study examines Public Health law and Criminal law as HIV/AIDS prevention and control approaches used to address the pandemic in Tanzania. The laws are the Infections Diseases Act,Cap..96 of 1921, the HIV and AIDS ( Prevention and Control)Act, Act No.28 of 2008. Criminal procedure, Act, 1985 Act No.9 of 1985, Pernal Code Cap. 16 Vol.I of the revised Laws of Tanzania and the sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, Act No.4 of 198. Others are the Tanzania Commission for AIDS Act, Cap.379 of 2001 and the Tanzania Evidence Act No.6 of 2007. The main purpose of the study was to critically examine whether, how and to what extent, these laws provide adequate legal safeguards for the prevention and control of the pandemic, and whether they unveil some lacunae existing therein. Further, the study examined whether the ethical, legal; and human rights is issues of PIJUAs are abused in the areas of public health and heath care. I in the course of the process the study has laid bare the inadequacies and inconsistencies of these laws in preventing and controlling HIV and AIDS. The laws ought to be remedied and complemented by person`s good behaviour that forms an important component in the fight against HIV and AIDS.