Arusha — Construction works for the state-of-the-art Health-Centre for HIV/AIDS at Usa-River, will cost 800,000 EUROS, equivalent to Tsh. 1.3 billion.

The Health care centre to be built in Meru District about 26 kilometers east of Arusha Municipality, is entirely funded and developed by an Italian Community of Sant'Egidio.

The health center for HIV/AIDS in Usa-River is part of the 'Drug Resources Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition' (DREAM), a programme created by the Community of Sant'Egidio to fight AIDS in sub-Sahara Africa.

The project implements a holistic approach, combining antiretroviral therapy (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy-HAART) with the treatment of malnutrition, tuberculosis, malaria and sexually transmitted diseases.

"The center is part of the DREAM program of the Community of Sant'Egidio, already operating in Arusha and Iringa for nearly three years now," says the DREAM Country Coordinator, Dr. Michelle Bartolo.

Dr. Bartolo was briefing the Italian Vice-Minister for Trade, Adolfo Urso who officiated at the ceremony to launch three main new structures to house a bio molecular laboratory, health center DREAM for HIV/AIDS and the telemedicine service with the San Giovanni Hospital in Rome, Italy.

"An increase of the number of patients has necessitated initiatives of these projects including a health center, where DREAM has been treating hundreds of children," Dr. Bartolo said, adding all three structures are worth an equivalent of USD2million.

He further said that DREAM was currently working in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, offering antiretroviral therapy to women, with the aim of treating them after the birth as well.

With regard to the modern bio molecular laboratory, Dr. Bartolo says, will be the diagnostic center for the Arusha region.

"A telemedicine service, working for some months, is a reference for the heart diseases and treatment, offering cardiac and electrocardiography consultations" he said.

The San Giovanni Hospital of Rome, in collaboration with the Communty of Sant'Egidio and the DREAM program Italy Network has made the service in Tanzania possible.

Italian Vice-Minister for trade, Adolfo Urso expressed his optimism that with the Community of Sant'Egidio's program of DREAM, Tanzania will be able to win the battle against HIV/AIDS, as it is the case in Italy.

Speaking on behalf of the Tanzania government, the Meru District Commissioner, Elias Wawa-Lali thanked the Italian government for supporting Tanzania in area of health with an eye to save thousands of lives.