To assess Zambia’s progress in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and reflect on lessons learned from implementing the PEN Plus Programme, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), convened the NCD Technical Working Group (TWG) and PEN Plus Programme Evaluation Meeting in Lusaka.

The meeting brought together NCD experts, healthcare providers, development partners, and representatives from all five PEN Plus implementation sites across the country to review achievements, share experiences, and discuss strategies for strengthening NCD care.

Speaking during the meeting, Professor Fastone Goma, Principal Investigator for the PEN Plus Programme, provided an overview of the programme’s journey and highlighted key milestones achieved since its implementation in 2022.

Clinical Mentor Dr Anchindika Mugala presented programme results, demonstrating significant improvements in access to specialised care for people living with severe and chronic NCDs. She also highlighted the growing impact of PEN Plus services in participating health facilities across Zambia.

Members of the NCD Technical Working Group presented updates from their respective subgroups, outlining ongoing efforts to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of non-communicable diseases nationwide.

The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, scale up successful interventions, and accelerate efforts to address Zambia’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

PEN Plus (Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease Interventions-Plus) is a clinical care strategy designed to decentralise and expand access to treatment for severe, chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs cannot be spread directly from person to person. They are primarily driven by a combination of genetics, physiological traits, environmental factors, and lifestyle behaviors, often requiring lifelong management and care.