CIDRZ was informally established in 1999 to support primarily perinatal focused HIV research and training in the Lusaka Urban Health District in Zambia and since that time the organization has grown substantially. Between the years 2000 and 2002, the CIDRZ budget increased ten-fold and they received research, training, and service monies from NIH, Elizabeth Glazer Pediatrics AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Columbia University, and the Gates Foundation. In March 2005, CIDRZ underwent a major reorganization of its management, leadership, and governance structure.

The organization was re-chartered as a non-profit company limited by guarantee, a legal personality that allowed tax and duty-free status, that is administered as a collaboration between the Zambian government and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). A new goal was set, that of establishing a permanent institution in Zambia that would support the improvement of health on a broad scale, aiming to reach as many Zambians as possible. CIDRZ administration operates out of 4 buildings throughout Lusaka and is affiliated with 42 Clinics managed by the Zambian Ministry of Health.

CIDRZ demonstrated considerable capacity with their PMTCT programs and was invited as a partner on a successful PEPFAR application coordinated by EGPAF. Through the PEPFAR supported program CIDRZ currently supports HIV care and treatment at 28 clinical care sites in 10 districts and 4 provinces. Between May 2004 and April 2007, over 100,000 patients were enrolled in HIV care, and over 60,000 patients started antiretroviral therapy. Comprehensive support for each site providing HIV care and treatment includes pharmacy back-up supplies; lab equipment and reagents as needed; initial and ongoing training for clinical, laboratory, counseling, home-based care, and data staff; clinical forms; infrastructure development, community outreach and education.

The success of CIDRZ is evidenced in the fact that they now have nearly 400 staff members, an active service and research portfolio of more than 20 projects, and occupy 4 separate office buildings.

For more info: www.cidrz.org