Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia plans ahead

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:46:14 +0000

By SANDRA MACHIMA

Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is currently supporting about 212 health facilities in 32 districts in Zambia to strengthen the health delivery systems.

CIRDZ chief executive officer Izukanji Sikazwe said his body working with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders to focus on prevention of new infections.

She said through continued generous support of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Center for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnership, the organisation was now implementing its third cooperative agreement of capacity building and strengthening implementation of HIV combination prevention and treatment services in priority geographic locations.

Dr Sikazwe said CIDRZ actively collaborated with the Ministry of Health and serves on technical working groups through mentoring and technical assistance to foster strong relationships with Zambian healthcare staff from facility to national levels.

CIDRZ owned a laboratory with one of the largest testing volumes in sub-Saharan Africa supporting Zambia’s ART and public health services as well as CIDRZ research and health programmes.

Dr Sikazwe advised members of the public to seek health attention despite medication so that they got tested and treated instantly to reduce new infections.