About us

Who We Are

Fosters collaboration between journalists, scientists, and advocates to promote accurate and impactful science communication in Zambia.

Media Science Café (MESICA) is a Zambian non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting accurate and balanced science reporting. We aim to strengthen and expand engagement among journalists, scientists, and advocates through platforms known as media science cafés. These gatherings serve as regular information exchange zones, bringing together diverse stakeholders to deliberate on science-related subjects, fostering collaboration, and enhancing skills in science communication.

Our goal is to enhance public understanding of scientific advancements, improve the quality of science journalism, and create a network of professionals committed to disseminating reliable information on health and development.

Our Approach

HIV Crisis Looms: Urgent Action Needed to Prevent a Resurgence

AIDs VACCINE ADVOCACY COALITION (AVAC) says the HIV virus has the potential to rebound with a vengeance and affect the ending Aids by 2030 targets. AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren has noted that the HIV prevention strategies are not reaching the most vulnerable to infection among the challenges of achieving the set targets.

He said this recently at the cross border cafe on the findings of the just ended world HIV conference adding that there is need for governments around the world to exercise political and invest in the fight against the pandemic that spans over 40 years.
“It is going to take an enormous effort to actually make those targets real. It is going to take policies that make will reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination,” he said.
Mr Warren added that despite the 95, 95, 95 targets almost achievable, the real challenge that oughts to be addressed is the 5,5,5.
“Who are the people left behind. We know that right now treatment has reached the people who are largely easy to reach. The people that we most need to reach who maybe most stigmatized, most marginalized, most at risk of infections and most likely to transmit the virus, those are the people we are not reaching and that is why the virus is going to continue to spread,” he said.

01.

— Our Mission

To promote communication through an interactive and holistic approach involving journalists, civil society, and other stakeholders in improving science journalism in Zambia.

02.

— Our Vision

An informed population conscious of emerging issues and working together to solve Zambia’s health challenges.

He said it is going to take more than just Anti Retrovirals for treatment and prevention to reach the end Aids by 2030 targets.
“To achieve those targets we need a policy environment that is supportive and conducive to people accessing HIV prevention and treatment measures,” he said.
Mr Warren added funds as another prerequisite for a successful fight against HIV.
“We spend a lot of money on the HIV response and a lot of money has been spent over many years by each of your countries by PEPFER, by the global fund. We are not done and if anyone thinks we are done and declares success too soon this virus will rebound in ways we can only dread,” he said.

He likened the rebounding of HIV to the cases of Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“It will take a lot of political will and if we want these targets to be feasible we need American leadership politically and American leadership in civil society because if we don’t get PEPFER reauthorized for the next five years it is going to be harder,” he said.
Ends

By
KELVIN MBEWE