Zambia
It is estimated that 17% of the adult population in Zambia, ages 15-49, are living with HIV. Zambia is one of the most urbanized countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 38% of the population living in urban areas. Infection rates in some urban areas such as Ndola and the capital, Lusaka are over 25%. While there has been a massive scale-up of treatment services, with more than 75 000 people now on antiretroviral drugs, this represents only 20% of women and men who need them.
To address the multiple challenges presented by the HIV epidemic, the Government has taken steps to establish a National AIDS Prevention and Control Programme and a National HIV/AIDS policy. Steps have also been taken to integrate HIV into the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. The impact on human resources is being felt across sectors with 68% of the population living in poverty, increasing numbers of deaths amongst healthcare workers, teachers and other professional groups. Children and young people who have lost their parents to AIDS are particularly vulnerable.
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Total Population: 11,668,000 (2006)|
In early 2004, a National Coordinator was appointed and an implementation strategy adopted, which complements HIV/AIDS coordination structures at the District Level. The first phase of AMICAALL programme implementation is targeting 10 of Zambia’s 72 local government authorities. By the end of 2005, AMICAALL Zambia had completed planning activities at district and local levels aimed at integrating local and national planning efforts. AMICAALL Zambia was also nominated to lead the process of guiding districts in developing integrated district HIV strategic plans and contributing to the chapter on HIV and AIDS in the National Development Plan for 2006-2011. In 2006, thanks to funding received from Irish Aid and support from UNDP, HIV service directories were developed in 10 municipalities. In July, 2007, the joint 51st Local Government Association of Zambia Annual Conference and the 4th AMICAALL- Zambia General Assembly took place in Livingstone in Zambia. More than 175 local government delegates and approximately 65 Zambian local authorities (out of 72 districts) attended. AMICAALL Zambia organised a workshop on mainstreaming HIV in local authorities, central government and private sectors at the local level.
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AMICAALL Zambia has received support for implementation of programme activities from many partners. Some highlights include:
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