The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), with support from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),has donated a borehole and a water tank to Namayula Health Post in Lukulu district of Western Province.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony of the borehole and the water tank, CIDRZ Lukulu District Team Leader,  Dr Patrick Nsalanga Kayumba, said in order to find solutions to public health challenges that the country faces especially in the area of HIV prevention, care and treatment,  CIDRZ, with support from PEPFAR and CDC has been working in the Western Province to provide  HIV testing, treatment and care services for a long time now.

“As CIDRZ, we support 23 health facilities in the district to ensure that healthcare services are brought closer to the communities as much as possible. Our belief is that through innovative strategies, such as the support of the water tank being handed over here today,  patients outcomes can be improved at each step of access to healthcare services, not only for those living with HIV but also those who seek other services outside the HIV care cascade, and ultimately improve the quality of health for the 500 community members of Namayula who benefit from this water tank, “Dr. Kayumba said.

Dr. Kayumba noted that some of the support CIDRZ has offered, include but not limited to the establishment of prefabricated buildings, aimed at supplementing the Ministry of Health’s efforts, to decongest health facilities and ensuring that HIV services are accessed easily by clients living positively with HIV.

In addition, he said that where there is need, CIDRZ has supported the Zambian government through the Ministry of Health (MOH), with additional human resource needed in all the health facilities.

Dr Kayumba thanked MOH for being a good partner that has been working with CIDRZ over the years in areas of research, training and service delivery.

And the guest of honour, Lukulu District Commissioner Mr. Kaumba Manjolo, said that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, is always happy to work with various stakeholders and partners in the health sector.

“Government is committed to ensuring a nation of healthy and productive people. Therefore, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu and his government appreciates investments in health, such as the one we are witnessing today, where CIDRZ through its Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission unit under the ACHIEVE programme, with the support from the United States – President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are donating a Water tank to Namayula Health Post here in Lukulu District. This tank will contribute to the provision of safe and clean water to our community members who come to this facility to seek medical services,” Mr Manjolo said.