Highlands Hope of Tanzania
…bringing patient-focused, high-quality, sustainable HIV-AIDS treatment to rural Africa.
Highlands Hope of Tanzania is an association of nurses who work as HIV-AIDS counsellors and caregivers in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Currently, their members are part of the healthcare staff at Consolata Hospital in Ikonda, the TANWAT Company Hospital in Njombe, and the PIUMA HIV Testing Centre in Bulongwa.
The nurses of these institutions, along with physician and lab technologist partners, patients and volunteers, have been responding to the challenge of the HIV pandemic for a decade within the limitations of their rural Tanzanian setting and resources. Their response has always been characterized by a clear focus on meeting the needs of their patients, on maximizing effective and efficient use of limited health care resources and on providing the highest quality of care.
HIV-AIDS is an enormous problem in their part of Africa, with an estimated prevalence of 18-20% prevalence in the adult population of Njombe and Makete Districts. Thousands of children are already orphaned by the disease in the area.
The Mission of Highlands Hope
Highlands Hope nurses work in HIV-AIDS Care and Treatment Centres that are following the protocols of Tanzania’s National Aids Control Program (NACP) for patient care in rural settings, but with little direct help from the Tanzanian government except for free antiretroviral drugs.
Nevertheless, nearly 3,000 patients are currently under care thanks to the dedication of Highlands Hope nurses, administrators, doctors and volunteers. Highlands Hope nurses are leaders in the struggle for recognition that access to basic health care is a human right.
Highlands Hope of Tanzania works in partnership with Njombe and Makete communities to achieve health that takes into consideration physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, sexual and social well being.
The nurses of Highlands Hope have taken as their mission to improve the quality of life of people infected and affected with HIV and AIDS in Njombe and Makete by a focus on mutual support, professional development and solidarity with the people that they serve.
Click here to read more about the hospitals and clinics where Highlands Hope nurses work.
