CIDRZ with support from Global Fund, through the Ministry of Health, has officially launched the Community Comprehensive Health Package for Adolescents and Young People (C-CoHP) Project, in three (3) districts of Western Province (Mongu, Limulunga, and Sesheke) to run from October 2022 to December 2023.

 This Peer-led community project will focus on providing comprehensive health services to out-of-school and in-school Adolescents and Young People (AYP) between the ages of 10-24 as well as train 40 adolescent peer educators that will be placed in the sixteen (16) target communities within the three (3) districts.

 C-CoHP Project Lead, Dr. Mwangelwa Mubiana-Mbewe, emphasized the need to implement services and interventions that can reach AYP of all categories, including those in colleges, and those with disabilities as it catalyzes the upholding of the universal health coverage principle.

 The main objectives of this project include:

I.   Increasing access and uptake of a wide range of health services amongst AYP such as family planning, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) & HIV screening and management, skills development, Gender Based Violence (GBV) services, and other services to promote health-seeking behaviors.

II.    Providing economic empowerment through skills development, mentorship by local role models, savings, and financial literacy.

III.   Increasing awareness of mental health issues amongst AYP including early identification of mental health problems and provision of first-line support and referrals.

 Other services include the running of community Adolescent Friendly Spaces (AFS) and community mobile caravans through which Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services will be offered to improve access amongst the AYP population. The project will also provide first-line support and referrals using the GBV LIVES approach.

 Meanwhile acting Provincial Health Director, Dr. Jacob Sakala expressed gratitude that the Ministry of Health was able to “engage an all-weather-partner organization, CIDRZ” to implement this component of the adolescent health program. He informed all members present that “It is important for MoH staff to take ownership and support the C-CoHP project to improve the health outcomes of adolescents and young people in the province.”

 And, acting District Health Director, Mr. Osman said the district has in recent years experienced an increase in cases of teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, STIs and early marriages, and other poor health-seeking behaviors among AYP. He commended CIDRZ for producing innovative interventions that will increase AYP access to SRHR and other health services.