Tanzania has suspended some HIV programs for men who have sex with men (MSM), but will continue to provide services to other groups. Earlier this year, the country threatened to ban any group that “promotes” LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania and punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Reuters reported that Ummy Mwalimu, Tanzania’s minister for health said the government had received reports that some local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were promoting and normalizing same-sex relationships as part of their HIV programs.
“We have suspended MSM community-based interventions pending (a) review,” Mwalimu told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
John Kashika, of Community Health Education Services & Advocacy NGO, said suspending HIV/AIDS programs for some LGBT groups was a blow in the fight against the virus. “This is essentially denial of services to people who are at the highest risk of contracting HIV, there’s going to be a lot of implications,” he said.
