The Centre for Infections Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) recently partnered with the Ministry of Health of Zambia through the Lusaka Provincial Health Office to host an interactive cooperating partners’ annual planning meeting to enhance collaboration among health sector players.

The meeting, officiated by Lusaka Provincial Health Director Dr Simulyamana Choonga, reviewed the previous year’s activities, aligned goals, and coordinated efforts to ensure a sustainable impact on public health services.

In his remarks during the meeting, Dr Choonga appreciated the Ministry of Health’s partnership with CIDRZ and other partners in successfully implementing the HIV programme.

Among the major successes, Dr Choonga cited Lusaka Province’s achievement of the second and third 95 of UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 target, where 95% of those who know their HIV status in Lusaka are now on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of people on ART have suppressed viral loads.

“91 % of ART sites are now screening with the HIV Risk Screening tool. Further, 94% of sites with at least 90% of high viral load recipients of care were enrolled on enhanced advanced counselling, and all sites are now providing static Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services,” he explained.

Dr Choonga also called for concerted efforts to address the gaps in viral load management, failure to improve index, and strategise on the management and sustainability of the HIV/TB programme.

The meeting also discussed opportunities for capacity building, creating partnerships, and sharing targets and focus areas for FY25 to improve health outcomes in Lusaka Province’s health facilities.

Present at the meeting were programme leads from LPHO, CIDRZ and other implementing partners such as DAPP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Circle of Hope (COH) and Institute for Health Management (IHM).