Theme Groups

In order to fulfill its mandate of overseeing coordination of the high impact interventions, the Secretariat is supported by a four Theme Groups whose principle role is to monitor the implementation of the Revised National HIV Strategic Framework through laid down national guidelines. These theme groups are:

Prevention Theme Group
The Prevention Theme Group is the overall advisory body to NAC for technical oversight of the HIV & AIDS prevention interventions and activities. This group is charged with the responsibility of reviewing new HIV prevention approaches, projects and programs. The key strategic interventions addressed by the group as outlined in R-NASF include Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), Condom programming, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Blood safety, HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) and Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC). The group operates through Technical Working Groups in the respective HIV prevention areas outlined above.  

Treatment and Care Theme Group
The Treatment and Care Theme Group provides an overall advisory role to NAC and oversight of issues around HIV treatment, care and support. It focuses on persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and addresses R-NASF strategic objectives relating to ART (both peadiatric and adult), HIV treatment through conventional medicine and alternative remedies.  The group also addresses issues relating to Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (e-MTCT), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), Tuberculosis (TB) as well as drugs and commodity quantification.   The group oversees programs related to palliative care, hospice care and other forms of care provided by the community based organizations, public sector and private sector. The Treatment and Care Theme Group is broken down into technical working groups relating to TB, ART, STIs, Alternative Remedies, Nutrition and Palliative Care.   

Coordination and Advocacy Theme Group
The Coordination and Advocacy Theme Group addresses issues of finance and resource tracking functions. The group also looks at policy and regulatory environment.  Group supports the multi-sectoral AIDS response through strengthening internal and external mainstreaming across all developmental sectors including the private sector and extends its tenets into the decentralized structures through the PATFs, DATFs and local authorities through AMICALL. Further this theme group addresses issues of key populations  and other self interest groups as well as the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism for Zambia (CCM-Z). 

Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) Theme Group
The M & E Theme Group provides oversight on the implementation of the national HIV monitoring and evaluation system as well as the national research agenda on HIV, STIs and TB.  The theme group through its technical sub-committees also provides guidance on issues pertaining to national surveys, studies and other HIV/AIDS related research. The group is further advises and provides input on the dissemination of research and survey findings and best practices at local, regional and international conferences/meetings.