Under the pilot phase MeTA Zambia was active in three provinces of Zambia – Lusaka, Central and North Western. MeTA Zambia ran radio programmes in Lusaka on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio 4, on Radio Maranatha in Kabwe and Radio Mkushi both in Central province and on Radio Solwezi and Radio Mwinilunga in North Western province.
MeTA Zambia also carried out Road Shows in Solwezi, Mkushi and Kabwe educating the public about MeTA Zambia and issues of accessibility, affordability and availability of medicines within their communities.
From lessons learnt during these activities it was clear that thirst for information was big in these communities which could only be satisfied through a continuous presence in any district. The other lesson learnt was that while a number of organizations such as NZP+, TALC and others existed in these districts MeTA Zambia with its principles and objectives isthe only organization that would bring them together in a multi-stakeholder alliance for a common purpose that would benefit the majority. This is the background to and basis for the creation of Focus Groups in Zambia. The first Focus Group was established in Solwezi on 27 August 2013. This was followed by focus groups on the Copperbelt created on 29 August 2013.
Other focus groups have since been created in Livingstone on 27 September 2013 and in Lusaka, Chongwe, Chilanga and Kafue on 22 October 2013.
