This week, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in partnership with the International AIDS Society (IAS) and Gilead Sciences, is hosting the inaugural Person-Centred Care Advocacy Academy (PCC Advocacy Academy).

The aim of the academy is to support the expansion of person-centred care approaches in designing and delivering integrated healthcare services, including HIV prevention and treatment, across the African continent.

The PCC Advocacy Academy, which commenced on 25th November and ends on 28th November 2024 at Lusaka Legacy Lodge, has attracted 20 fellows from 12 African countries, including three Zambians, selected through an open and rigorous application process.

The main objective of the PCC Academy is to share best practices and spread person-centred care approaches across the African continent.

We are pleased that Kombatende Sikombe, Sandra Simbeza, Njekwa Mukamba, Chanda Mwamba and Dr. Maurice Musheke are the CIDRZ faculty for the PCC Advocacy Academy and these will be working with IAS to scale up use of PCC.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Lloyd Mulenga, Director of Infectious Diseases at Ministry of Health, (MoH), expressed gratitude to CIDRZ and IAS for bringing together fellows from Africa to the inaugural PCC Academy.

“The Ministry of Health Zambia is delighted with the visibility that PCC is having in Zambia and across Africa. The person or recipients should be at the centre of care. PCC will help the Zambian health sector to deal with the problems of reducing interruptions in treatment especially in HIV programming,” he said.

Professor Mulenga added that PCC is essential for achieving epidemic control, emphasising that healthcare systems must prioritize meeting a person’s need and be passionate about a status-neutral approach.