CIDRZ’s Person-Centred Approaches to Address Viremia (P-CORE) Study team, led by Principal Investigator, Mr Kombatende Sikombe, paid a courtesy call on the Central Province Provincial Health Office ahead of a Human-Centred Design (HCD) workshop to co-create a person-centred care intervention addressing high viral loads among affected populations.

Mr Sikombe, accompanied by the P-CORE Study Research Manager, Ms Sandra Simbeza, expressed appreciation to the Central Province Health Office, Kabwe District Health Office (DHO), and all participating health facilities for the support rendered, which has been instrumental to the study’s success.

He also briefed the Provincial Health Director on the progress the P-CORE study had achieved through high tracing rates and the strong collaboration between facility staff, community volunteers, and the study team.

Meanwhile, Central Province Provincial Health Director, Dr Elijah Mutoloki, reaffirmed the Provincial Health Office’s support for the P-CORE Study, noting that its scope addresses a critical component of HIV care and treatment.

Dr Mutoloki emphasised that the study not only advances research objectives but also strengthens HIV service delivery across the province.

The Provincial Health Director also revealed that the provincial leadership had identified key personnel with epidemiology training to serve on the study’s advisory board and provide technical guidance.

He noted that this approach builds on existing capacity to support effective implementation.

Since the start of the implementation, the P-CORE study team has successfully connected with several clients previously disengaged from HIV care and re-engaged them to treatment and support services within health facility catchment areas.

In Central Province, the P-CORE Study is being implemented across four (4) districts that include Mumbwa, Kapiri Mposhi, Kabwe, and Mkushi across 12 public health facilities. The facilities include Chibefwe, Nkumbi, Mulundu, Kapiri Urban, Kawama, Mukonchi, Kabwe General Hospital, Makululu, Mahatma Gandhi, Mumbwa District Hospital, Bulungu, and Kamilambo.