press releases

U.S. Ambassador Opens Hiv/Aids Comprehensive Care Center Pharmacy At Ndola Central Hospital

The U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Carmen Martinez, on Tuesday, March 14, officially opened a pharmacy at the Ndola Central Hospital’s Comprehensive Care Center that has been renovated with funds from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Ambassador Martinez, who is visiting Copperbelt Province for the first time this week, commended the staff of Ndola Central Hospital and praised the Zambian government's leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She said that Zambia is one of 15 focus countries assisted through PEPFAR, which will provide $15 billion over five years for the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS. Over the past two years the U.S. government has provided over $220 million to support Zambia's national strategy to fight HIV/AIDS.

The Chairman of the Ndola Central Hospital Board, Justice Lloyd Siame, the Executive Director of Ndola Central Hospital, Dr. Welani Chilengwe, and the Provincial Health Director, Dr. Chandwa Ngambi, attended the event.

Ndola Central Hospital receives support from the Zambia Prevention, Care, and Treatment Partnership (ZPCT). The U.S. Agency for International Development administers this program with funding from PEPFAR. ZPCT’s support renovates facilities, provides essential equipment, trains staff, and provides technical assistance. HIV/AIDS services available to the public at Ndola Central Hospital include confidential HIV counseling and testing with results given the same day, prevention of mother to child transmission, treatment of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, and free anti-retroviral therapy for those in need.