The Africa CDC Financing Project (ACDCP)

Component 2 strengthens Zambia’s national public health laboratory system and associated information networks to enhance the capacity of ZNPHI and the SA-RCC to detect and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks. It addresses current weaknesses in surveillance, detection, and response, which hinder Zambia’s effectiveness as the SA-RCC host. The project supports the design, construction, and equipping of a BSL-3 national reference laboratory with an animal lab, a proficiency testing system, a biomedical equipment maintenance center, a biobank, and a warehouse. It also establishes a Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC), an ICT center with data management and security systems, and offices and training facilities for ZNPHI and the SA-RCC. Additionally, it strengthens disease prevention and control for Zambia and the region, expands sentinel surveillance for antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases, pilots the Africa CDC AMR scorecard, and supports public health research, information systems, and the operationalization of RISLNET in alignment with the SA-RCC Host Country Agreement.

Component 3 supports the development of a skilled and diverse public health and livestock workforce at ZNPHI in line with the One Health approach, enabling Zambia to meet both national and regional health mandates. The project provides technical assistance to build surge capacity, conduct a comprehensive human resource needs assessment for disease surveillance and response, and deliver training in critical areas such as laboratory systems, occupational health and safety, environmental and social safeguards, outbreak investigations, emergency response, data management, and risk communication. It also supports the salaries and retention of key professional staff at ZNPHI during its transition to an autonomous institution, ensuring continuity of operations and full utilization of public health assets.

Component 4 ensures effective implementation of the project by supporting procurement, financial management, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. It covers the recruitment and training of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) staff and technical consultants, along with operating costs. The component also provides immediate support, as needed, in response to an eligible crisis or emergency.