Our Projects
Transforming Childhood NCD Care in Zambia
SSHE leads community and systems strengthening under the national PEN-Plus Expansion Project (2024–2028)
Introduction
Systems Strengthening for Health and Education (SSHE) is contributing to the PEN-Plus Expansion Project in Zambia, a national initiative led by CIDRZ and supported by the Scottish Government. The programme aims to strengthen Zambia’s capacity to diagnose, treat, and manage severe childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through decentralized care delivered at primary health care (PHC) facilities.
SSHE leads key components focused on community engagement, health systems strengthening, and early detection pathways, working across PHC facilities in Ndola and Chipata. The project forms part of a broader multi-partner effort to improve equitable access to paediatric NCD services in Zambia.
About the Project
Childhood Non-Communicable Diseases -such as asthma, congenital heart conditions, and sickle cell anaemia -contribute significantly to Zambia’s paediatric disease burden. These conditions are particularly prevalent in underserved and rural populations, where access to early diagnosis and ongoing care remains limited.
The “Strengthening Primary Health Care Systems for Childhood NCDs in Zambia (2024–2027)” project aims to decentralize care, enhance PHC-level capacities, and build resilient systems for managing severe NCDs in children. It aligns with Zambia’s National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP 2022–2026), the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), and the WHO PEN-Plus framework.
Trans-fatty Acid (TFA) Incubation Project
System Strengthening for Health and Education (SSHE) was funded in 2023 by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
SSHE is working in the Non-Communicable Diseases space in a consortium with Centre for Reproductive Health and Education (CHRE).
This grant of $25,000 is supporting a project called the Trans-fatty Acid (TFA) Incubation Project.
The overall objective of this advocacy campaign is to mobilize support from the general public and policymakers toward Food and Nutrition Promotion Policy in Zambia.
The specific objective is to raise awareness through the engagement of policymakers, policy holders, the CSOs and other key actors to push for the enactment of the iTFA elimination policy in the country.