The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), through its United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP) I project, is participating in the 4th Regional Adolescent Health Indaba, 2024. The event, which officially opened today by Lusaka Province Health Director Dr Simulyamana Choonga on behalf of Ministry of Health Dr. Elijah Muchima, focuses on addressing critical issues affecting young people’s health.

Dr Choonga says that to address the high incidence of HIV among adolescents and young people, the Ministry of Health is scaling up HIV prevention programs by developing a minimum prevention package and revitalising the Zambia End HIV/AIDS campaign.

He says the Ministry acknowledges that lower rates of HIV case identification among this demographic are due to several factors, including the age of consent for accessing HIV testing. This issue is currently under discussion with various stakeholders, including parents and guardians.

Dr Choonga emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing comprehensive HIV knowledge among adolescents and young people, aiming to increase awareness from 39% in 2021 to 95% by 2026.

This three-day Indaba with the theme “Enhancing Prevention through Meaningful Adolescents and Young People’s Engagement, Innovation, and Leadership,” aims to leverage the potential of young people as agents of change. The theme highlights the importance of involving youth in prevention efforts, which can catalyse innovative and sustainable strategies to combat HIV/AIDS, aligning with the global goal of achieving accelerated epidemic control and ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.