By working closely with APCA, whose member associations have substantial experience in standards and policy development, advocacy, human capacity development, and developing and providing high-quality, standardized training courses for palliative care providers, PCAZ will develop its capacity to serve as a voice for compassionate end-of-life care.

Challenges
Throughout Africa, more than 2.5 million people die of AIDS-related illnesses each year. In Zambia—a country of 11.3 million people—more than 1 million people are HIV-positive yet only 10-20 percent of those in need of ART were receiving the treatment as of mid-2005. Although providing comprehensive palliative care is simple, cost-effective, and can easily be integrated into the day-to-day routine of physicians, nurses, and allied care providers, it must compete against many other pressing needs for limited healthcare funding and human resource capacity.

Capacity Building Targets
The overall goal of the partnership is to establish PCAZ as a credible and financially viable national association, thereby allowing it to continue its policy and advocacy work well into the future. To accomplish this, the partners will:

• formulate a national training strategy, including a certification program for palliative care providers that is endorsed by the Ministry of Health;
• develop and promote palliative care policies along with institutional and professional standards for end-of-life;
• lobby the Ministry of Health for appropriate pain relief medications; and
• represent and advocate for its members and for people living with HIV/AIDS.