Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete today met U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at State House Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. President Kikwete took the opportunity to thank the United States of America for their relentless support to many fronts especially in the battle against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.
President Kikwete said the reduction of maternal and child mortality is an important function of the capacity built on controlling malaria and HIV/AIDS. He reported that the infection rates in HIV have climbed down from 18 percent in the 1980s to 5.4 percent.
“These days, pregnant women who are infected with HIV are assured of giving birth to HIV-free children, and thanks again to the PMI, President’s Malaria Initiative, and PEPFAR in this regard.”-Mr.Kikwete
President Kikwete also thanked Secretary Clinton for visiting Tanzania to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
“Madam Secretary of State, let me once again welcome you to Tanzania. We are so happy that you were able to come and put Tanzania in your itinerary. Your visit speaks volumes about the state of our bilateral relations in many ways.”-President Kikwete
President Kikwete stressed that Tanzania has received a lot of invaluable high-level support from the U.S. Government. He added the U.S. government has complimented Tanzania’s development efforts and continues to make a difference in improving the lives of its people in the health sector.
He thanked the U.S. Government for thousands of Tanzanians, including women and children, who would have died of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB, are alive today because of their support.
“Through your support, deaths from malaria has been reduced by half, from 120,000 per annum to 60- and 80,000. Malaria has been eliminated in Zanzibar. In the past, 40 percent of visitations to hospitals were of malaria cases. Now it’s only 20 percent.”-President Kikwete
President Kikwete also thanked the U.S. government for the 200 Peace Corps science and mathematics teachers. Tanzania has received already 800,000 textbooks, science textbooks and mathematics’, 1.4 million are on the way. He said the availability of textbooks in their schools has also increased.
“Eight thousand teachers have been getting training through U.S. Government support. The MCA, Millennium Challenge Account, has done so well. New roads have been built, water supply has been improved, electricity supply has been improved, and MCA alone benefits 8 million Tanzanians. It is quite phenomenal, and that’s why we appreciate it.”-President Kikwete
President Kikwete noted that the two governments have been working together on some of the global scourges like terrorism, narcotics and piracy. He highlighted that through the support of the U.S. Government in helping build the capacities of its security organs, Tanzania has been making tremendous successes in the fight against terrorism.
President Kikwete underscored that U.S. support on Tanzania is appreciated. He said he will continue to work with the U.S. Government for peace and development in Tanzania, in Africa, and the world.
