BENJAMIN WILLIAM MKAPA HIV/AIDS FOUNDATION

The Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation is a non-profit making, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established and incorporated under the Trustees Incorporation Ordinance, CAP 375.

Established in February 2006 and officially registered on 13th April 2006, the Foundation aims to supplement and complement the development efforts of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The focus areas are:

1. Enhancing the delivery of quality HIV and AIDS care, treatment and other related services including Reproductive and Child Health to Tanzanians.
2. To offer training and education, formal and non-formal, among Tanzanians for the purpose of increasing technical proficiency.
3. To promote national and international policies and strategies aiming at alleviating HIV and AIDS and related illness, addressing Human Resource for Health challenges and other health related matters.
4. To work with or in collaboration with or affiliation to any other institution local or international to furthering the objectives of the trust.
5. To support vulnerable rural communities with insufficient Human Resource for Health to improve health care services.
6. To carry out initiatives on prevention and control of HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Infections[STIs], and family planning education for both rural and urban communities.
7. To involve People Living with HIV and AIDS in community education and fighting against AIDS.
8. To mobilize, receive and administer funds and other resources from other entities and organizations earmarked for activities similar to the objectives of the Foundation, under special agreements entered between the Foundation and said entities.
9. To promote and strengthen cooperation between local and international groups.

Historical Background:

The Foundation was established after the launching of its first programme known as the Mkapa Fellows Programme in July 2005. The Programme of Mkapa Fellows was initiated by the Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Benjamin William Mkapa and the Former President of the United States of America, H.E. William Jefferson Clinton in July 2005 under the support of the Royal Kingdom of Norway with aim of accelerating HIV/AIDS services through addressing the shortage of skilled health professionals in rural underserved settings.

The Foundation prior to having a full time secretariat team as from its inception to November 2006, it was under the interim guidance of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) of the Clinton Foundation, World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

As from November 2006, the Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation with its full autonomous Management and staff and Governing structure, it is undertaking a number of initiatives that focus on addressing Human Resource for Health challenges and accelerating HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services as well as Maternal and Newborn health services within Tanzania.