We are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest report: “A Healthy Future for Children Living with HIV: Results and Best Practices from the Kids to Care Pilot Project in Zambia.”
This milestone marks a powerful step forward in our mission to ensure that children living with HIV not only receive the care they need but truly thrive.
The Kids to Care Pilot Project was implemented in Ndola and Kitwe to improve HIV case identification, linkage to care, and retention in services for children aged 5 to 14 years. Using a four-stage model, Find, Test, Treat, Stay, we adapted the approach to Zambia’s educational and healthcare systems, creating a sustainable referral pathway that connects schools, communities, and health facilities.
Pilot Objectives:
- Strengthen school and community structures to identify at-risk children and link them to care.
- Increase access to HIV testing, treatment, and follow-up services.
- Promote sustained ART adherence and psychosocial well-being for children and caregivers.
- Reduce stigma and improve health literacy among children, teachers, caregivers, and community members.
Key Achievements:
- 95% of identified children were tested within 30 days of initial contact.
- A total of 3,581 children were tested for HIV.
- 23 children were found HIV-positive, reflecting a positivity rate of 0.6%.
- 100% of HIV-positive children were immediately referred for ART initiation and counselling.
These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a coordinated, community-driven approach to paediatric HIV care. The report is filled with lessons learned, success stories, and best practices that can guide future efforts to support children living with HIV. It’s a roadmap for scaling impact and ensuring no child is left behind.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated Copper Rose Zambia team, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, our incredible partners and community stakeholders, and a special shoutout to Aidsfonds for believing in this vision and helping us bring it to life.
Together, we are proving that collaboration creates transformation. Because every child deserves to thrive, not just survive.
