Tanzania stops 40 health centres from offering AIDS services

Feb 17, 2017 | 4:30 AM

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania’s government has stopped 40 privately run health centres from providing AIDS-related services, accusing them of catering to homosexuals in a country where gay sex is criminalized.

It is the latest move by this East African country to crack down on the activities of homosexuals.

The government believes that non-governmental organizations are using some health centres to promote gay sex, Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said Thursday while announcing the restrictions.

In Tanzania, gay sex is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Around two-thirds of African countries criminalize consensual same-sex sexual conduct, according to Amnesty International.