NAC Zambia nac.org.zm
What will it take to move from managing HIV to curing it?
That question sat at the heart of a landmark stakeholder meeting convened by the Ministry of Health and the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC), bringing together a coalition of partners committed to shaping Zambia’s future in HIV cure research.
The meeting held in collaboration with the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+), the Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC), and other key partners marked an important first step toward developing a national HIV cure research agenda for Zambia.
Stakeholders gathered to explore how Zambia can play a meaningful role in global HIV cure research while, at the same time, strengthening the national HIV response. The discussions were wide-ranging and forward-looking, centring on four priority areas:
- Increased investment in HIV cure research within Zambia
- Integration of cure-related priorities into national HIV strategies and frameworks
- Meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in shaping the research agenda
- Support for ethical and efficient research processes that meet international standards
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been transformative turning HIV from a death sentence into a manageable, chronic condition for millions of people worldwide, including in Zambia. But lifelong treatment comes with real costs: financial burdens on health systems, social stigma, and the daily realities of adherence that many people living with HIV continue to navigate.
Scientific progress is opening new possibilities. The documented cases of individuals achieving HIV remission including the Berlin, London, and City of Hope cases alongside breakthroughs in gene-editing and immunotherapy, have demonstrated that a functional cure is no longer a distant aspiration. It is a scientific frontier that countries like Zambia have both an opportunity and a responsibility to engage.
Speaking during the meeting, NZP+ Executive Director Mr. Fred Chungu underscored the importance of sustaining national dialogue on HIV cure research, emphasising that communities most affected by HIV must have a seat at the table.
NAC Director of Policy and Planning Dr. Peter Ndemena highlighted the opportunity for Zambia to learn from global experiences and take stock of its existing research infrastructure, human capital, and institutional capacity, all critical factors in assessing readiness to contribute to this evolving field.
Ending HIV as a public health threat will require more than treatment alone. It will require sustained investment in research, bold innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and crucially communities at the center of every decision.
NAC remains committed to fostering the partnerships and policy frameworks that will position Zambia as an active and credible contributor to the global HIV cure agenda.
How can countries like Zambia strengthen their role in shaping the future of HIV cure research? Join the conversation
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