NAC Zambia nac.org.zm
📰 National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council – Quarter 3 Highlights (September 2025)
The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) continued to make significant strides in strengthening Zambia’s multi-sectoral HIV response during the third quarter of 2025. Key activities during this period focused on policy reform, stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, and data-driven public health action.
🏛 Strategic Engagements and Policy Reform
NAC participated in the Joint 69th Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) and 22nd AMICALL General Assembly Conference, held under the theme “Innovative Municipal Financing and Service Delivery: Pathways for Sustainable Growth and Inclusive Development.” The Council reaffirmed its commitment to working with local authorities through DACAs to enhance community-level HIV responses.
A high-level stakeholder workshop was also convened to review and update Zambia’s 2005 National HIV Policy. The revised policy incorporates emerging global best practices and reflects Zambia’s renewed commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat.
💼 Strengthening the Informal Economy and Private Sector Response
NAC, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched the HIV and AIDS Guidelines for the Informal Economy and the Private Sector Engagement Strategy (2025–2027). The initiative aims to formalize HIV interventions in the informal sector, promote decent work, and enhance social protection.
The CEO HIV Sensitization Breakfast Meeting underscored the pivotal role of business leaders in ensuring sustainable financing for HIV programmes. Public and private sector actors discussed innovative funding strategies to safeguard progress made in the national response.
💊 Improving Health Programmes and Guidelines
During the quarter, NAC and the Ministry of Health validated and updated the National STI Guidelines and Operational Plan, ensuring alignment with global standards and integration into broader reproductive health services. Additionally, Zambia developed its first National Hepatitis B Guidelines, marking a major milestone in standardizing hepatitis prevention and treatment.
To enhance data reliability, NAC conducted a NACMIS Data Quality Assessment to improve the quality of HIV programme data for informed decision-making.
🌍 Community and Civil Society Mobilization
NAC hosted the Civil Society Organizations Annual Review Meeting, which focused on governance, resource mobilization, and sustainability amidst reduced U.S. Government funding. Civil society representatives also engaged with UNAIDS Regional Leadership to discuss innovative strategies for sustaining community-led HIV programmes.
The dissemination of the Informal Economy Guidelines and Private Sector Engagement Strategy in Copperbelt, Southern, and Lusaka Provinces further promoted corporate commitment and public–private partnerships in the HIV response.
👩⚕️ Public Health Events and Campaigns
World Hepatitis Day was commemorated under the theme “No Time to Waste, Act Now!” calling for decisive action to combat viral hepatitis.
On HIV Testing, Counselling, and Treatment Day, held under the theme “Invest in a sustainable future – #GetTestedForHIV,” the Ministry of Health highlighted that Zambia recorded 30,000 new HIV infections in 2024, with 37% among adolescents—underscoring the urgency of youth-focused interventions.
Through the South-to-South Learning Network (SSLN) meeting, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to innovative and collaborative approaches to HIV prevention.
👶 HIV Prevention and Data
Efforts to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV are bearing fruit, with most HIV-exposed infants remaining HIV-free up to 24 months. However, challenges remain with maternal adherence and early child testing.
The 2025 HIV Estimates showed a decline in new infections from 67,585 in 2005 to 29,782 in 2025, reflecting progress while highlighting the need to intensify youth-focused prevention.
👧🏽 Empowering Youth and Women
The Strengthening Girls’ Rights (SGR) Project held its 2025 planning retreat, focusing on adolescent health, youth-led research, and community engagement. Supported by a €6 million grant from the German government, the project will run until 2029.
In addition, a National Condom Technical Working Group meeting addressed last-mile condom distribution challenges and strengthened community-led solutions.
NAC remains committed to coordinating a robust, inclusive, and data-driven response to HIV, hepatitis, and related public health priorities, in collaboration with government, civil society, private sector, and international partners.
