ICAP

Zambia detected its first COVID-19 cases in March 2020. While the country acted quickly to curb the spread, over 4,000 individuals in the country have lost their lives to the disease.

As COVID-19 is now established as an endemic disease in Zambia, ICAP is working to reinforce a community health response – to ensure increased case identification, home treatment, infection prevention and control, widespread vaccination, and accessible health services for all.

Supported by the Global Fund through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ICAP collaborated with the Zambia Ministry of Health to create a COVID-19 community health training package for health workers across the country. ICAP rolled out the training package beginning in November 2024 with an initial “training of trainers” program for 24 community health workers from across six provinces of Zambia.

A group of people posing together outdoors, some holding certificates. Two banners with the ICAP logo are on either side of the group. Trees and a building are in the background.

Participants of the November training program.

Integrating respiratory infections of pandemic potential, the training aimed to ensure alignment of community health services with national and global strategies for managing all respiratory illnesses. The major objectives of the training were to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in COVID-19 and influenza prevention, control, and management; enhance participants’ capacity to deliver training, support community-level health workers, and promote integration of COVID-19 and influenza services into ongoing community health interventions; and build a pool of trainers who can provide continuous mentorship and capacity building for frontline health workers.

Participants gained insight, for example, into the latest global and national COVID-19 statistics, observing the distribution of cases across Zambia’s ten provinces.

“I never knew that we have recorded 140 cases of COVID-19 in November 2024 alone,” said Annie Chisanga, a community health worker from the Lusaka provincial health office. “Most people think that COVID-19 is now over, but we need to let people know that we are still recording cases.”

The training also introduced participants to approved treatment options that could be delivered in the community and community health worker roles in combating antimicrobial resistance by advocating against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections.

In addition, the training program focused on such topics as the importance of personal protective equipment and case finding from a community perspective, including demonstrations of appropriate techniques for mask and glove usage and handwashing. Participants learned about community engagement and how to address misconceptions about COVID-19 that tend to circulate among communities. Key messages included the importance of identifying key community gate keepers before facilitating community messaging about COVID-19, and addressing rumors and misconceptions. In a simulated community health meeting for a rural setting, the training participants observed concerns that may be raised over vaccines, treatment, and traditional beliefs.

“This session is really insightful,” said Hope Namputa, a community health worker from the Copperbelt province. “It has provided me with some questions that I need to anticipate.”

Participants also gained insight into community health approaches to reporting, learning about collaboration with nearby health facilities so that hotspots of respiratory infections could be captured in a timely manner. Trainees were also introduced to the similarities and differences between influenza and COVID-19, with the role of community health workers for each condition outlined.

“I was really excited when I saw that this training would include something on influenza,” said Caroline Nyirenda, a community health worker from Chawama subdistrict in Lusaka. “We had a lot of confusion this year when we had a lot of people down with the flu. This is very helpful.”

A person stands smiling in front of an ICAP Global Health banner. They are wearing a blue ICAP t-shirt and black pants. The setting appears to be outdoors with a plant and a building in the background.

ICAP trainer Theresah Kabwe welcomes participants to the training.

“The training was very insightful. We learned a lot of new things about COVID-19 and influenza that are really important for any trainer to know,” said Bwalya Shitumbanuma, a public health nurse and a community health trainer based at the Ministry of Health. “I personally didn’t know about some of the new things like the new COVID-19 medicines that can actually be given in the community. It was also nice to have a session on how to be a good facilitator – this will definitely help me as I deliver information to the community-based volunteers under me.”

Paxina Machilika, a community health focal point for Matero sub-district, one of Lusaka’s most populous areas, attested to the timeliness of the training.

“For some time now, we have been battling so much wrong information in the community, especially about COVID-19 and the vaccines,” said Machilika. “This training helped me not only to have clear information, but it has given me the skills to be able to deliver that information in a good way.”

As a “training of trainers” program, the aim is that participants will roll out this training in their respective provinces as the country continues to equip itself against COVID-19 and similar threats.

“As Zambia moves into a phase where COVID-19 is an endemic disease, it is crucial that we empower our community health workers with the knowledge and skills to manage cases effectively,” said Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, MSc, MPH, PhD, country director of ICAP in Zambia. “This training initiative not only enhances our community health model but also ensures that we are prepared for the future, with local communities playing a central role in sustaining the fight against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.”

About ICAP

A major global health organization that has been improving public health in countries around the world for two decades, ICAP works to transform the health of populations through innovation, science, and global collaboration. Based at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP has projects in more than 40 countries, working side-by-side with ministries of health and local governmental, non-governmental, academic, and community partners to confront some of the world’s greatest health challenges. Through evidence-informed programs, meaningful research, tailored technical assistance, effective training and education programs, and rigorous surveillance to measure and evaluate the impact of public health interventions, ICAP aims to realize a global vision of healthy people, empowered communities, and thriving societies. Online at icap.columbia.edu

Related Items