GOVERNMENT has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the HIV and AIDS elimination projects.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, to improve the service outcome and reduce the incidences of HIV infection among vulnerable children, adolescents and their families.
Speaking today during the signing ceremony, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Acting Permanent Secretary, Pame-la Kabamba, stated that the USAID Adolescents and Children, HIV Incidence Reduction, Empowerment and Virus Elimination (ACHIEVE) project, will mitigate the impact of HIV in Zambia.
She indicated that the MoU will help to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adolescents, through the delivery of high impact, evidence based and age appropriate interventions using a child focused and family centered approach.
‘’I am delighted that the ACHIEVE project focuses on providing technical assistance, to improve performance, quality, monitoring and co-ordination, as well as collaboration with other partners working towards improving access to health and social protection services,’’ explained Mrs Kabamba.
‘’I am very excited with our partnership with ACHIEVE and ECAP because it creates an opportunity for vulnerable children, adolescents and their families to have access to services they require within the general social protection programming which will minimize risks and vul-nerabilities,’’ she added.
Meanwhile USAID Director, for the Health-Office in Zambia, Daniel Sinclaire said the organisation is committed to work with the govern-ment and ensure that the projects are aligned with government policies and structure.
He stated that the MoU will set as a foundation for strengthening the already reboot partnership that exists between USAID and Zambia.
‘’The ACHIEVE project is aimed at strengthening Zambia’s social services at the national and targeted decentralized levels in the 26 high HIV burden districts across Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Lusaka, Northwestern and Southern Provinces,’ ’said Mr Sinclaire.
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