CIDRZ’s Controlling HIV Epidemic Project (CHEP) paid a courtesy call on the Central Province Health Office in Kabwe as part of ongoing activities related to the transitioning of the Zambia Integrated Health (ZIH) program, from Pact Inc. to CIDRZ.

During the same period, CIDRZ, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is conducting a Trainer of Trainers (ToT) workshop focused on the rollout of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products, namely, cabotegravir, Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) and  Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention intervention described by experts as the closest alternative to an HIV vaccine.

The PrEP workshop aims to equip frontline healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver the different PrEP products as Zambia strengthens efforts towards HIV epidemic control.

The CHEP delegation was led by Ms Francheskie Vélez, Director of the Health Coordination Office at the U.S. Embassy in Zambia and included CHEP Chief of Party Dr Maurice Musheke.

Speaking during the visit, Ms Vélez reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment, through the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, to strengthening partnerships with local organisations to implement life-saving health interventions.

She noted that CIDRZ had been identified as an ideal local partner as the U.S. Government shifts focus on prioritising local organisations to lead and sustain public health programmes.

Ms Vélez also thanked the Provincial Health Office for hosting the team and supporting the successful implementation of the training programme in Kabwe.

The Provincial Health Director, Dr Elijah Mutoloki, was represented by Dr Mwanja Kakusa, the Provincial Clinical Care Specialist for Central Province, who welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for selecting Kabwe as the host district for the training.

Dr Kakusa noted that the Training of Trainers workshop was particularly important because Central Province had not been included in the previous training.

She added that the healthcare workers participating in the training would play a critical role in cascading the knowledge and skills acquired to other healthcare workers across the province.

Dr Kakusa further stated that the training would strengthen the province’s HIV response by enhancing healthcare workers’ capacity to deliver innovative HIV prevention services as the province seeks to achieve epidemic control.

CIDRZ continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health, the U.S. Government through the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, and other partners to support evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes and advance Zambia’s HIV response.