The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently trained Lay Health workers and Psychosocial Counsellors to build their capacity in advanced counselling skills and ensure continuous delivery of high-quality services.

The trainings, which were held in six districts including Lusaka, Chilanga, Kafue, Chongwe, Rufunsa, and Luangwa districts, were in appreciation of the invaluable contribution of lay health workers and Psychosocial Counsellors, who perform crucial tasks such as HIV Testing and counselling services under the supervision of professional health workers.

Speaking when he opened the training session, CIDRZ Clinical Care Director Dr Mwanza Wa Mwanza commended the vital role performed by this category of health workers, which he said made the work of professional health workers easier.

“Lay health workers and Psychosocial Counsellors have significantly contributed to addressing the HIV disease burden. We acknowledge your massive contribution in actualising the #95-95-95 strategy aimed at achieving comprehensive HIV care, improved health outcomes, and reducing the spread of HIV to end the epidemic,” Dr Mwanza said.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Provincial Health Office Community Programme Officer Dr Teddy Kavwanda said the training of health workers was crucial for fostering quality HIV service provision as it enhances the counselling skills of front-line counsellors.

“This training will have a great positive impact on general health outcomes among our antiretroviral therapy (ART) clients. As their Supervisor, I am extremely excited as the training will assist in sealing some gaps experienced in the district and ultimately ease my job,” Dr Kavwanda said.

Serah Tembo, a Psychosocial Counsellor from Kasisi Rural Health Centre, appreciated the practicality and insightfulness of the training, adding that it had improved her counselling skills, which would translate into improved service delivery to her clients.

Thomas Chikanta, a Psychosocial Counselor from Nyangwena Rural Health Centre of Rufunsa District, echoed Serah Tembo’s sentiments, noting that the training was timely and that he would use the knowledge acquired to correct the gaps while discharging his duties.

CIDRZ’s Provincial Ownership to Uplift Delivery of HIV Services in Zambia (PROUD-Z) project, in partnership with the Lusaka Provincial Health Office, trained the lay health workers in several important topics, including HIV Testing Services, Recency Testing, Safe and Ethical Index Testing, Advanced Counselling Skills, Counselling Supervision, substance abuse, suicide, PrEP and PEP and many other crucial topics.