07 Aug HIGH RATE OF TREATMENT DEFAULTERS A DISTRICT CONCERN – FPP

The Lusaka District Health Office is concerned with the high number of adolescents dropping out of care at various points along the treatment pathway. Sister Ntitima Phiri who is Focal Point Person (FPP) and Sister in-charge at Lusaka’s Matero Level One Hospital observed that the largest gap in the cascade is progress towards meeting the third 95 goal. The FPP was speaking during an orientation meeting organized by Latkings Outreach Program with financial support from the Africa REACH Program.

“Large numbers of defaulters on treatment potentially reduces the ability for Zambia to reach the 95-95-95 HIV goals, and therefore retention of people on ART and ensuring adherence to treatment are critical determinants of successful long-term outcomes.” Sister Ntitima said. She applauded the initiatives by Latkings of conducting defaulter tracing of adolescents that have been lost to follow up (LTFU) at various health facilities as timely adding that this will not only accrue benefits such as adherence and retention to care but will also enhance interface between communities and health facilities.

With support from Africa REACH, on 11^th October, 2023 Latkings conducted an orientation meeting for community counsellors on adherence counselling and psychosocial support through peer support under the Adolescent for Adolescent (A4A) project. The project aims to support adolescent care clubs and improve adherence and retention, and support health facilities through the establishment of an effective system for data collection, analysis, and use of LTFU data between community and facility levels.

Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director of Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate-
 African Union Commission.

A light moment after a counsellors orientation meeting