Zambia HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment (ZPCT) Partnership

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The project aims to strengthen and expand HIV/AIDS clinical and prevention services in six provinces: Central, Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, North Western, and Muchinga. ZPCT II supports the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) goals of reducing prevalence rates and providing antiretroviral therapy (ART). During the quarter, ZPCT II provided support to all districts in the six provinces. The project is consolidating and integrating services in facilities and communities to ensure seamless delivery of a comprehensive package reaching the household level. ZPCT II is also working to increase the Ministry of Health's (MOH) capacity to monitor, maintain, and improve quality throughout the national health system by fully integrating ZPCT II quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) systems into day-to-day operations at all levels. ZPCT II has five main objectives: to expand existing HIV/AIDS services and scale up new services, to increase the involvement and participation of partners and stakeholders, to increase the capacity of the Provincial Medical Offices (PMOs) and District Medical Offices (DMOs) to perform technical and program management functions, to build and manage public-private partnerships, and to integrate service delivery and other activities at the national, provincial, district, facility, and community levels. The project is taking an integrated health response approach, viewing effective delivery of HIV/AIDS services as an opportunity to forge a stronger health care system. Integrating services, engaging communities, and strengthening major system components that affect delivery of all services are the foundation for ZPCT II. The goal is not only to reduce death and illness caused by HIV/AIDS but also to leave the national health system better able to meet the priority health needs of all Zambians. ZPCT II is working to improve and upgrade physical structures, integrate HIV/AIDS services into other clinical areas, increase workforce capacity, and strengthen key support structures, including laboratory and pharmacy services and data management systems. The project is also implementing quality and performance-based plans to graduate districts from intensive technical assistance by the project's end. During the quarter, ZPCT II provided technical assistance to the MOH, PMOs, and DMOs to improve the delivery of HIV/AIDS services. The project also supported the expansion of maternal and child health services in six of the country's 10 provinces. ZPCT II is working to increase the capacity of health care workers to provide high-quality HIV/AIDS services, including ART. The project is also strengthening the broader health sector by improving and upgrading physical structures, integrating HIV/AIDS services into other clinical areas, increasing workforce capacity, and strengthening key support structures. The goal is to leave the national health system better able to meet the priority health needs of all Zambians. ZPCT II is working closely with the MOH, PMOs, and DMOs to ensure that the project's objectives are met. The project is also engaging with communities and stakeholders to ensure that the services provided are responsive to their needs. The goal is to provide a comprehensive package of HIV/AIDS services that emphasizes prevention, strengthens the health system, and supports the priorities of the MOH and the National AIDS Council (NAC).