In the middle, ZIM Fellow Andrew Shaw posing for a photo with USAID ZAM-Health Project’s Mwansa Kaira, Cosmas Ndumba, Felix Tembo and Mwila Kombe after the presentation of the Award at Avani Victoria Falls Resort- Livingstone 24 June 2022. Picture Credit to ZIM
The USAID Zambia Accessible Markets for Health (ZAM-Health) Project has been named the 2021 Best Social Marketing organisation by the Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM). The acknowledgement was made during the ZIM Annual General Conference which took place at Avani Victoria Falls Resort on 24th June 2022, in Livingstone.
The USAID ZAM-Health project received the top honour from within a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in social marketing, MultiChoice Talent Factory Zambia, and Academy and Partners Against Piracy (PAP)-Anti Piracy Campaigns.
ZIM confers awards of excellence in various marketing categories on deserving individuals and organizations at its Annual Awards Gala Dinner. 2021, nominees were selected based on NGOs that engaged in social marketing, demonstrated commitment to their beneficiaries, and applied marketing techniques as a way of contributing towards behavioural change amongst the beneficiaries.
The USAID ZAM-Health Project won the award because of the effective application of commercial marketing techniques in four health products namely Ultimate Male condoms (three variations), Maximum Classic Male condoms, Combination 3 Oral contraceptive pills and Klori – Pure Water purification solution. The project effectively segmented its audience based on age, geographic location, and social and economic status to inform marketing techniques and also subsidised all the products to ensure the intended audience can afford them.
The project used a wide range of communication channels such as Traditional Ceremonies-Ncwala and Kuomboka, social media, radio and television, posters and wall paintings to reach the target audiences to influence the adoption of positive health behaviour.
Commenting on the award, USAID ZAM-Health Project Chief of Party, Mika Mwambazi Bwembya said:
“We are excited to receive this award which recognizes our commitment to promoting uptake and utilization of products to reduce the transmission of HIV and AIDS infections as well as unwanted pregnancies in Zambia. Through the continued promotion of sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, water purification and personal hygiene products and services, we have left a positive impact on the communities we serve”.
The Chief of Party expressed gratitude to the USAID and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for their financial support that has made it possible to influence positive health outcomes for ordinary Zambians.