The Copperbelt Provincial Health Office has welcomed CIDRZ’s Controlling HIV Epidemic Project (CHEP), expressing a strong commitment to collaborative efforts to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care services across the province.

Speaking during a coordination meeting, Dr Christopher Dube, Public Health Specialist, at the Copperbelt Health Office, said the Provincial Health Office is excited to work closely with CHEP to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment and care, and ultimately save lives.

Dr Dube emphasised the importance of continuous learning between partners, noting that both Ministry of Health staff and implementing partners must remain aligned in knowledge and practice to achieve the best possible health outcomes for the Zambian people.

Meanwhile, Dr Maurice Musheke, the Chief of Party for CIDRZ’s Controlling HIV Epidemic Project (CHEP), highlighted that the project has already undertaken several key activities in the province, including a six-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on the delivery of various pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products. He also noted that CHEP has been conducting data reviews across various health facilities to strengthen service delivery and ensure evidence-based programming. He said CIDRZ, through CHEP, will endeavour to work closely with the Provincial and District Health Offices to ensure joint planning, joint implementation, and joint monitoring for harmonised and optimal impact of HIV service delivery.

As part of the ongoing PrEP training, participants also visited selected health facilities in Ndola District to observe and assess HIV service delivery at the point of care, as part of the broader transition and onboarding process to ensure smooth implementation.

Speaking during the engagement, Ms Francheskie Velez, Director of the Health Coordination Office at the U.S. Embassy, noted that the province is diverse and presents both achievements and ongoing challenges in HIV programming. She said her visits had revealed encouraging progress as well as gaps that still require strengthening, expressing confidence that CHEP will help address some of the key challenges in HIV service delivery.

She added that the partnership is grounded in shared goals, stating, “We are here as partners committed to success and ready to support.” Ms Velez further noted that while resources remain limited and must be strategically allocated, CHEP will play a critical role in supporting priority areas in HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Officials from the Copperbelt Provincial Health Office also shared updates on ongoing achievements and existing challenges, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration and coordinated action to strengthen HIV service delivery across the province.