Amplifying the Need for New HIV Prevention Options: Journalists Take the Lead
With around 70% of Tanzania’s population under 30 and tens of millions online, Mulika Tanzania’s CEO Hussein Melele set out to harness journalists as advocates for new HIV prevention options. Thirteen reporters from television, radio, print and digital outlets — including Azam TV, EATV, Wasafi TV, The Citizen and Mwananchi — joined a dedicated engagement programme.
Sessions covered long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and the Dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), led by specialists including Francis Luwole of COMPASS, Dr Lilian Mwakyosi of DARE Tanzania, and Dr Amos Katonga of Kinondoni Hospital, who also outlined government efforts under the "Three 95%" testing, treatment and viral suppression targets.
The programme translated directly into coverage: journalists went on to publish and broadcast on the new prevention options through outlets such as Mwananchi, Nipashe, The Citizen and Wasafi TV, helping raise public and policymaker awareness of CAB-LA and DVR as tools in Tanzania’s HIV response.
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