Zambia
By Dr. Robert L. Scheneberger
Zambia Country Director
In 2020, the Ciheb country office in Zambia rose to the challenge of the global COVID-19 pandemic and assisted the nation in multiple ways.
First, we ensured that our public health programs continued operating smoothly, with ongoing services for both HIV prevention and for those living with HIV. Through this effort, all of our projects continue to meet or exceed expected 2020 targets established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention despite COVID-19’s impact on the country. Ciheb also provided education on COVID-19 to the health facilities that we support, as well as PPE materials and training on infection prevention. Our staff put themselves at risk at the facility and community level to prevent backsliding from the work we had achieved towards epidemic control.
Second, our infectious disease faculty, Dr. Lottie Hachaambwa and Dr. Cassidy Claassen, provided support to the Ministry of Health in its national COVID-19 response by aiding in the drafting of national treatment guidelines and screening protocols. Furthermore, Dr. Hachaambwa and Dr. Claassen led virtual rounds in the capital city of Lusaka at the University Teaching Hospital and the Levy Mwanamasa Teaching Hospital, the national COVID-19 treatment center.
Finally, Ciheb collaborated with a volunteer community group of seamstresses and tailors to sew masks and PPE for the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka and healthcare professionals to mitigate the shortage of PPE. More than 10,000 masks were donated to government health facilities.
As we celebrate World AIDS Day this year, Ciheb faculty and staff in Zambia stand in solidarity with the people of Zambia and are committed to continuing to meet their health needs.
Robb Sheneberger, MD, has been leading University of Maryland, Baltimore initiatives in Zambia since 2004, and assisting the Government of the Republic of Zambia by serving on multiple partnership working groups and developing differentiated care systems to support 90-90-90 goals.