The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been actively involved in Zambia since 2000, working collaboratively with the Government of Zambia, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), and various partner organizations. The primary focus is to detect, prevent, and control infectious disease outbreaks while strengthening the country's core public health capabilities.
Key Areas of Focus
CDC Zambia concentrates on several critical areas to enhance public health infrastructure and response mechanisms:
- Data and Surveillance: Strengthening systems for effective disease monitoring.
- Laboratory Capacity: Improving diagnostic capabilities and ensuring quality services.
- Workforce and Institutions: Building a skilled public health workforce.
- Prevention and Response: Implementing strategies for disease prevention and effective outbreak response.
- Innovation and Research: Supporting research initiatives to inform public health practices.
- Policy Communications and Diplomacy: Facilitating effective communication and policy development.
Laboratory Support and Accreditation
CDC has significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of diagnostic services in Zambia. CDC helped seven Zambian laboratories achieve ISO 15189 accreditation and continues to support the country's commitment to quality diagnostic services.
Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
Established in Zambia in 2014, the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a crucial initiative supported by CDC. FETP trains epidemiologists to perform disease surveillance and contain outbreaks of diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, cholera, polio and COVID-19. Participants learn critical skills for data collection and analysis and using data to inform action.
CDC also supports the expansion of academic and clinical training programs in the University of Zambia and the University Teaching Hospital and the use of the ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) platform to enhance training and mentorship.
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Emergency Response and COVID-19 Support
CDC works to strengthen the capacity of Zambia's emergency response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC Zambia supported vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance strategy, and contact tracing, leveraging the existing laboratory network as the backbone of the COVID-19 laboratory network.
Update for Rural Partners and Communities on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response
HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) Initiatives
Through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC plays an essential role in the fight against HIV and TB. CDC supports HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services in Zambia through PEPFAR. CDC's Division of Global HIV & TB activities are implemented as part of PEPFAR.
With unmatched scientific and technical knowledge and long-standing relationships with ministries of health, CDC is uniquely positioned to advance HIV, TB, and other global health security activities that keep Americans safe at home and abroad.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV. With CDC support, 95 percent of all PLHIV have been screened for TB, 97 percent of the PLHIV have completed a course of TB preventive treatment, and 99 percent of all TB notifications had an HIV status as of April 2024.
Cervical Cancer Prevention
Women living with HIV experience increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Before the introduction of ART, women living with HIV were not screened for cervical cancer. With CDC support, Zambia launched a long-term, culturally appropriate, community-based training program in community health promotion to address cervical cancer.
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Malaria Prevention and Control
CDC has collaborated with partners to support implementation of malaria prevention and control activities in Zambia since 2006. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), CDC assigned a resident advisor to the malaria-endemic country of Zambia to support implementation of malaria prevention and control activities.
Key Accomplishments and Activities
CDC focuses on increasing access to evidence-based prevention, expanding case identification and linkage for pediatrics, young people, and people at increased risk for HIV infection, and improving HIV services.
Some of CDC's most recent key activities and accomplishments include:
- Supported the implementation of the SmartCare National Electronic Health Record system in over 1,600 high-volume health facilities nationwide with over 2 million people enrolled.
- Sustained laboratory diagnostic testing capacity for 24 viral load laboratories, more than 250 point-of-care testing platforms, and over 200 hub facilities.
- Supported Zambia in making progress to provide 98 percent (1,295,030) of PLHIV with antiretroviral therapy (ART) in FY2024.
- Supported Zambia in making progress to identify 88% of children living with HIV know their status and were on ART.
- Supported the implementation of evidence-based HIV programs to reduce new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths in Lusaka, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northwestern Provinces.
Collaboration with CIDRZ
The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is an independent NGO dedicated to enhancing healthcare access in Zambia through innovative capacity development, implementation science, and impactful public health programs. CIDRZ collaborates closely with the Zambian government and partners with local and international institutions to ensure high-quality, integrated healthcare and research.
Based on Zambia's National Health Research priority agenda, CIDRZ aims to identify and implement locally relevant, culturally acceptable, and evidence-based interventions to influence policy formulation. To support evidence-based policy decisions, CIDRZ conducts a variety of research studies, including clinical trials, surveys, and behavioral and implementation science studies, primarily within public clinical care facilities in Lusaka, all endorsed by the Ministry of Health and subject to ongoing ethical review.
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Recognizing the importance of ethical standards in human research, CIDRZ’s Research Operations department ensures compliance with international and national regulations, including ICH-GCP guidelines and CFR Title 45 Part 46, by thoroughly reviewing all trial applications, protocol amendments, and adverse event reports.
As the Central Laboratory, the CIDRZ lab prides itself on delivering high-quality results to clients, supported by a robust Quality Management System that has earned it ISO 15189 accreditation. This International Standard ensures quality and competency in medical laboratories, and the accreditation was granted by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) after a thorough review. The CIDRZ lab is also accredited in various disciplines, including Haematology, Microbiology, Serology, Molecular Biology, and Clinical Chemistry.
CDC's work aims to protect the health of our nations and public health around the world.
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