Christopher Makaza

Zimbabwe celebrates a significant decline in Malaria in the central parts of the country extending to the South-Western regions. Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo has said.

In a press statement read on his behalf by Ministry of Health and Child Care Acting Permanent Secretary in Mr Gideon Mhlanga to celebrate World Malaria Day, Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe has made a notable progress in the fight against malaria with 28 districts in the country now implementing pre-elimination activities.

“Generally trends of malaria in the country continue to decline. Rapid decline has been witnessed from the central parts of the country extending to the south-western regions. This decline has seen the country implement pre-elimination activities in 7 districts in 2012, and by 2018 the districts had increased to 28.

“Comparing 2017 and 2018 malaria cases have declined from 468,841 to 264,278, and deaths from 513 to 192, showing a 44% morbidity and 63% mortality reduction between the 2 years,” reads part of the statement.

The Minister highlighted that the country continues to protect the population at risk of Malaria through the deployment of targeted indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).

Minister Moyo also said Zimbabwe continues to strengthen Cross border collaboration with neighbouring countries and continues to play an active role in the Malaria Elimination Eight (E8) Block made up of 8 member states namely Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile Zimbabwe is the current Chair of the E8 Initiative. The E8 regional grant has also facilitated the setting up of 5 static clinics along the border with Mozambique and South Africa to increase access to health services by mobile and cross boarder communities.