Despite a significant decrease in annual national case incidence (cases per 1,000 population) over the past 15 years, (152/1,000 in 2004, to 32/1,000 in 2020) malaria still remains a major public health issue in Zimbabwe.
The Mudzi District, in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe (bordering Mozambique), had between 200-300 cases per 1,000 population in 2020, making it among the highest burdened Districts.
Zimbabwe’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) aims to reduce national malaria incidence to 17 cases per 1,000 population and malaria deaths by at least 90% by 2025. There are approximately 19,400 Community Heath Workers (CHWs) in Zimbabwe, each serving approximately 100 households. The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) policy is that CHWs are mandated to conduct community case management. This includes administering rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), treating positive cases with Artemisininbased therapy (ACTs), and administering rectal artesunate (RAS) as pre-referral treatment of severe Malaria at the community level. In 2020, approximately 44% of all Malaria cases in Zimbabwe were reported by CHWs or school health coordinators (2022 PMI Zimbabwe Malaria Operational Plan).
The Community Health Worker Malaria Case Management Training in Mudzi District Community Impact Grant will compliment Zimbabwe’s existing cadre of CHWs, increasing their capacity and reach. This Grant funds two essential CHW malaria case management trainings for 73 CHWs, supporting the goal of the government to increase access to malaria services in communities.
The trainings are to be conducted in the Mudzi Disctrict, in partnership with project implementers: MCZ/Isdell: Flowers and the Mudzi District Ministry of Health and Child Care/National Malaria Control Program. The CHW malaria case management trainings, will be measured by the successful completion of two 3-day trainings, educating 73 CHWs on malaria case management principles.
CHW testing and treating a client in the community (MUWADZI VILLAGE)
MCZ District Bishop acknowledging Msasa Rotary during Malaria Test Kits Handover at Kotwa Hospital
MCZ Field Officer facilitating during CHW refresher training at Dendera Training Centre.