The Sparkman Center worked closely with the leadership in Zambia during the development phase of this program and provided technical assistance. The overall program, including curriculum and formulary, was approved by other program partners June 16, 2008. A proposal for Phase 1 support from CDC Global AIDS Program Zambia (PEPFAR) was approved in 2008 with the UNZA School of Medicine as partners on the proposal. The Sparkman Center has provided funding to support the start up and initial implementation of this program.

The first group of 31 nurses entered the program in June 2009 and will complete the one-year diploma program in May 2010. Plans are now underway for recruiting a group of 30 more nurses for the second program cohort to begin in June 2010.

The Sparkman Center, in collaboration with the UAB School of Nursing's Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center on International Nursing, will continue to work with other partners in Zambia to seek funding for an expansion of this program and conversion to a partially distance-education program. Collaborating institutions in Zambia include: The Zambia Ministry of Health, Zambian Union of Nursing Organizations, Lusaka Schools of Nursing, University of Zambia, Zambian Ministry of Defense, Pharmacy and Regulatory Authority of Zambia, WHO Zambia Office, ITECH-Ethiopia, CIDRZ, University of Maryland– AIDS Relief, Health Systems Support Program, JHPIEGO, and Zambian Prevention, Care and Treatment (ZPCT).

 

 Dr. Lynda Wilson and members of the Curriculum Advisory Group for the HIV Nurse Practitioner Diploma program at a meeting in Zambia January 28, 2009.