The Tanzanian government has stopped 40 privately-run health centers from providing AIDS-related services, accusing them of catering for homosexuals in the country.
Homosexuality is a criminal offence in the East African country, and is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
The move to shut down the medical facilities is the latest in Tanzania’s crackdown on the activities of homosexuals.
AP reports the country’s health minister to say the government believes that non-governmental organizations are using some health centers to promote gay sex.
Around two-thirds of African countries criminalize consensual same-sex sexual conduct, according to Amnesty International.
The HIV rate among gay men in Tanzania stands at 30 percent, according to government figures.
The health minister also announced that the government was expanding HIV/AIDs services at 3,000 other health centers across the country.
