During Q3 of 2025, Malaria Partners Zambia made significant progress toward achieving the objectives of the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC) project, with a continued focus on strengthening community health systems and enhancing malaria prevention and treatment efforts.
Collaboration with key implementing partners, PATH and World Vision Zambia remained instrumental in advancing project goals. These partnerships contributed to improved coordination, joint planning, and harmonized implementation of interventions across the 6 districts. Through these efforts, MPZ continued to promote an integrated, community-driven approach to malaria control and health system strengthening.
Overall, Quarter 3 recorded notable progress across all key result areas. MPZ successfully implemented several capacity-building activities, trained 199 Community Health Workers (CHWs), Rotarians, and facilitators, and strengthened advocacy and engagement efforts among Rotary clubs across Zambia. In addition, the quarter saw enhanced data use for decision-making, improved collaboration with District Health Offices, and strengthened supervision and mentorship structures for CHWs. These achievements reflect MPZ’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable community health systems and advancing national malaria elimination goals.
Capacity Building and Training
During this period , capacity building remained a crucial pillar of project implementation, aimed at strengthening the competencies and effectiveness of key stakeholders involved in RHCC. As a core activity, the project facilitated the training of 199 Community Health Workers (CHWs) to enhance their knowledge and skills in malaria case management, community engagement, and data reporting. Additionally, Rotarians and Rotaractors were trained in the use of the ALMA Scorecard, equipping them with the tools to monitor malaria indicators, advocate for improved health outcomes, and support data-driven decision-making at the community level. Furthermore, 30 facilitators across the three districts of Chisamba, Mungwi, and Ngabwe were trained in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in order to improve Water Sanitation and Hygiene. These capacity-building efforts collectively contributed to improved coordination, accountability, and sustainability of RHCC Project interventions within the targeted communities. Below are capacity building activities undertaken in the period under review.
- Bicycle distribution in Ngabwe
After completing their training in Kabwe, some Community Health Workers from Ngabwe did not receive their bicycles due to logistical challenges. On July 17, 2025, fifty-six bicycles were distributed to the Community Health Workers in Ngabwe. This was to fulfill the promise of ensuring CHWs are equipped with the necessary enablers to work effectively. The ceremony was attended by the District Health Director for Ngabwe, the Malaria Elimination officer, facility staff, and Community Health Workers.
Ngabwe CHWs after receiving their bicycles
2. Process Evaluation of the Six-Week CHW Attachment Period
The meeting was held to gather feedback from the District Health Office and staff at various facilities where Community Health Workers were on a 6-week attachment. The first meeting was held on July 18, 2025, at Town Council Lodge in Ngabwe district. In attendance were the central provincial Senior Health Promotions Officer, Facility staff, the Malaria Elimination Officer for Ngabwe, Ngabwe District Health Director, and the Master Trainer. Facility supervisors provided feedback regarding the performance of Community Health Workers in Ngabwe District.
A second process evaluation was conducted at the end of September targeting the last 12 health facilities trained in Chisamba. This meeting was held at Mikula Lodge in Chibombo district. Prior to the feedback meeting, a combined team of RHCC project staff from PATH, Malaria Partners Zambia, and World Vision Zambia, Provincial Health Office, National Malaria Elimination Centre (NMEC) and the District Health Office monitored 12 sampled facilities in Chisamba and 3 in Ngabwe to conduct on-site assessments of the performance of the CHWs on attachment.
Group photo after the process evaluation meeting in Ngabwe
3. iCCM Training for Chisamba Community Health Workers (CHWs)
In the period under review, MPZ continued with the Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) and facility staff from Chisamba District. The goal of these training sessions was to build the capacity of frontline community-based workers to effectively test, diagnose, and treat malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia within their respective communities, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced under-five mortality rates. This session of training was aimed at saturating Chisamba District by training one hundred and ninety-nine CHWs.
Chisamba CHWs during a graduation ceremony in Kabwe
4. Community-Led Total Sanitation Trainers of Trainers Workshop
The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) meeting was held from August 5th to 9th, 2025, at Mulungushi University in Kapiri Mposhi District. The primary objective of the meeting was to train trainers of trainers (ToTs), who will, in turn, train community champions to trigger community action and eliminate open defecation in Chisamba and Ngabwe districts. The training brought together representatives from twenty (20) health facilities. Ten (10) from each of the two target districts. Participants engaged in intensive sessions designed to equip them with facilitation skills, triggering techniques, and practical approaches for scaling up sanitation and hygiene improvements at the community level.
The meeting was officially opened by the Provincial Health Director for Central Province, Dr. Elijah Mutoloki emphasized the importance of sanitation in reducing disease burden and improving public health outcomes. The program was officially closed by the Executive Director of Malaria Partners Zambia, Ms. Martha Lungu who commended participants for their commitment and presented certificates of completion to all trainees. The successful completion of the CLTS ToT marks a key milestone in the implementation of the RHCC project, as it ensures that the WASH component is addressed through the fight against open defecation. This is expected to contribute significantly to improved health and hygiene in Chisamba and Ngabwe districts.
5. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
The sessions provided a thorough introduction to the ALMA Scorecard management tool, its role in enhancing accountability, and its use at community, district, and partner levels to promote evidence-based decision-making. Participants were guided through the process of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data in ways that display progress through color-coding, identify gaps, and support advocacy for better service delivery and resource mobilization. Through practical exercises and group discussions, Rotarians and DHO staff gained the technical skills to customise the community scorecard in their respective districts. The training emphasized collaboration between civil society and health authorities, highlighting the importance of shared ownership in the fight against malaria.
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed increased confidence in using the ALMA Scorecard as a tool for accountability and action. The workshop concluded with a commitment from both Rotarians and the DHO to utilize the tool in monitoring malaria interventions and sharing progress with a broader range of stakeholders to help achieve the goal of malaria elimination.
6. RHCC Financial year 1 annual review meeting
The Rotary Healthy Community Challenge (RHCC) held its Financial Year 1 Review and Year 2 Planning Meeting in Samfya. The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including the RHCC Country Committee Chairperson, the Advocacy Committee Chairperson, all Provincial Health Directors from Northern and Central Provinces, and Directors of Health Services from the six RHCC districts. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the implementation of Year 1 activities. Participants reviewed progress made, highlighted notable successes, and openly discussed challenges encountered in the course of implementation. Valuable lessons were drawn from these experiences to guide improvements going forward.
In addition, the meeting focused on shaping the way forward by preparing a comprehensive implementation plan for Year 2. This plan was developed collaboratively, ensuring that insights from district and provincial leadership were incorporated to strengthen program delivery and impact. The review and planning session were marked by active participation, constructive dialogue, and a shared commitment to building stronger, healthier communities under the RHCC project.
The third quarter of 2025 was marked by substantial progress in strengthening community health systems and advancing the RHCC project’s goal of improving access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations. Through activities such as iCCM training, WASH interventions, and process evaluations, MPZ and its partners successfully enhanced the capacity of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and strengthened collaboration between community and health facility levels.
Rotarian involvement remained a defining strength of the program. Their participation in provincial activities, iCCM trainings, and community engagements not only fostered stronger coordination but also strengthened local ownership of the RHCC Project.
The progress achieved this quarter demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder collaboration combining the technical leadership of MOH, the grassroots engagement of CHWs, and the commitment of Rotarians and Rotaractors. As the program transitions into the next quarter, emphasis will be placed on consolidating these gains, addressing identified challenges such as logistical constraints and communication gaps, and scaling up successful interventions to sustain impact and reach more communities.
Recommendations
- Maintain the momentum in CHW training to reach the year 2 target of 432 CHWs.
- Continue proactive engagement with partners and Rotarians to support advocacy initiatives and resource mobilization.