CDC donates methadone dispensing machine to Zanzibar
Zanzibar health minister Nassor Mazrui checks the methadone dispensing machine provided by Centers for Disease Control and Preventive (CDC). PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The donation was made to support the clinic's efforts in providing medically assisted therapy (MAT) to people who inject drugs (PWID) and to reduce the risk of HIV transmission
Amref Health Africa- Tanzania, with support from its US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Afya Kamilifu project, has handed over a methadone dispensing machine (Methameasure machine) to Kidongo Chekundu MAT clinic hospital in Zanzibar.
The donation was made to support the clinic's efforts in providing medically assisted therapy (MAT) to people who inject drugs (PWID) and to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Speaking during the handover, Dr Florence Temu, Country Director at Amref Health Africa Tanzania, said the machine will increase the efficiency of work by accurately measuring the dose for patients and accelerating the distribution of medication.
"This will reduce patients waiting times and the need for additional human resources.”
Dr Temu said the methameasure machine will be utilised to support the MAT clinics as part of the project's goal to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
According to Dr Temu, the project aims to provide access to harm reduction services, including MAT and HIV testing and counseling.
“Machine's accuracy in measuring the appropriate medication dose will help reduce the risk of complications and overdose for patients, ultimately contributing to the project's overall goal of reducing HIV transmission, TB and Hepatitis among PWID,” she said.
On his part, Zanzibar Minister of Health Nassoro Mazrui said thanked CDC for continuing to support the clinic, and the machine according to him will enhance the quality of MAT services for PWID by reducing waiting times, alleviating the burden on healthcare providers and accurately measuring methadone doses.
Overall, the machine will help narrow the gap in access to quality healthcare services for PWID and aid in preventing HIV transmission in the community." said Mr Mazrui"
Also at the event it was said that the US government through President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and CDC will continue to support the Ministry of Health in Zanzibars’ effort to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to key and vulnerable population especially people who inject drugs.
“We remain committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of communities in Zanzibar", said Nyagonde Nyagonde who is the Acting Chief HIV Prevention Unit at CDC.
