GWEMBE

In Gwembe the Referral Centre is accommodated in a building belonging to the Ministry of Works and Supply Buildings Department.  

COMPOSITION OF DPEC

DPEC Meetings

Meetings of DPEC are not regular due to the busy schedule of some members especially that of the Chairperson who DPEC members feel for now cannot be replaced because of his vast knowledge and experience in Gwembe Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS (GINGO). However, most work is being ably done by the Volunteers and this has not in any way caused problems.

Rentals and Volunteer Allowances

DPEC in Gwembe paid rentals up to November 2005; the Volunteer Allowance has not been paid from January, 2005.

Partners Meetings

These meetings are being held regularly attended mostly by Volunteers.

The DPEC members are actively involved in the district stake-holders’ meetings at a different level; an example is the DPEC Chairperson who is the Chairperson of World Vision. A good working relationship does exist in this district among players and an example is the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) that has placed their printer in the Referral Centre for use by Volunteers because the Referral Centre toner ran out EFZ prints from the Referral Centre.

Resource Mobilization

At the time of this visit DPEC had already written and submitted their proposal to CRAIDS.

Equipment

The state of the equipment is in a good working condition although the printer toner ran out.

Activities

Several activities in this district are going on.

They are supported by partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ). As a result training has happened, of the Referral Centre Volunteers in Home Based Care, providing them with HBC Kits and from time to time supplies them with drugs.

Another training workshop was held by the Baptist Mission of Zambia where Volunteers were trained as Trainer of Trainers (ToTs).

After this training Volunteers conducted a roll out and trained 15 Care Givers who now go out conducting HBC services, looking after 27 clients. These activities are being run by the Referral Centre Volunteers with the support of EFZ.

While Policy Project funds lasted the Volunteers carried out a VCT campaign a few times. As a result the District Health Management Team (DHMT) established 8 VCT Centres in selected areas of the district. In conjunction with DHMT they are in a process of establishing a mobile VCT for the far places.

Constraints  

Lack of logistical support to start the mobile VCT service.

Lack of operational funds has made the Referral Centre to be unable to effectively deliver its services. Follow up of cases is almost impossible because the Referral Centre is located at the fringes of a very big district.

Partners

GINGO works with the following partners;

• Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ)

• KAMU [Kubelekela Abamuchaala (translated as: Working with/for Orphans)]

• Social welfare

• Police V.S.U

• Ministry of Health

• Agriculture

• Ministry of Education

• DATF

Comments by DPEC/Volunteers

DPEC and Volunteers observed that Communication and visits by the Regional Office should be frequent because this helps in the flow of information and in clarifying a number of issues that need guidance. Further that a visit like this one provides a district the much needed morale support.

 DISTRICT REPORTS