CIRKUITS Concludes Five-Year Run in Zambia

After five years, the Community Impact to Reach Key and Underserved Individuals for Treatment and Support (CIRKUITS) project ended on September 27th, 2023, at the National Stakeholders Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia (Watch video here). The final meeting in the Zambian capital outlined many topics, including partnerships, health policy achievements, and lessons learned. “The University of Maryland has been privileged to work with Zambia for the last two decades. We started with the AIDS Relief Project in 2004, led by Dr. Robb (Scheneberger) himself when he came to Zambia,” said Cassidy Claassen, MD, Program Director. “The CIRKUITS Project started in 2018 and the key objective has been to focus on closing the gaps to HIV epidemic control by making sure that everyone has access to care. This is closely aligned with the MOH (Ministry of Health) National Strategic Plan of 2022 to 2026 where the mission is leaving no one behind.” 

This meeting also focused on the personal impact CIRKUITS created. Attendees were engaged by testimonies from participants of how the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) Project, under CIRKUITS, changed their outlook and improved their future. “I almost failed out of school, but because of DREAMS, I managed to complete my school year and graduate with distinction from that. I am very grateful,” said one young lady. She obtained certification as a counselor and learned vocational skills. “I’m able to raise money and earn a living at the end of the day, I’m able to support myself (and) I’m able to support my single mother.” Aside from the influential DREAMS projects, a summary of CIRKUITS' accomplishments is available here: CIRKUITS Closeout Presentation

While CIRKUITS has closed, the program catalyzed further operations in Zambia. Implementation of CAB-LA in Mazabuka, DREAMS will receive evaluation results and will have a national data repository. There will also be the establishment of MAT (Medically Assisted Therapy) clinics in Lusaka and Kitwe and the development of a harm reduction policy for people who inject drugs (PWIDs). 

At the conclusion of the meeting, acknowledgments were given for the partnerships with the government of Zambia, CDC (Centers for Disease Control), PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), UMB (University of Maryland, Baltimore) Zambia, traditional leadership, community partners and staff, and the clients and recipients of care. The CIRKUITS project made significant strides in improving HIV treatment and support for underserved communities in Zambia. As the project ends, the partnerships and progress achieved will have a lasting impact that supports Zambia's mission of leaving no one behind on the path to HIV epidemic control.