Rotarians – Serving To End Malaria In Zambia

By Eric Liswaniso, Program Manager, Malaria Partners Zambia    

It is always inspiring to see Rotarians in action. They leave the comfort of their offices and homes, taking time off their very busy schedules to volunteer to serve humanity. Without Rotarian engagement, our malaria elimination efforts would be very difficult to accomplish if not impossible.

I am reminded of Rotarian Sophie Kunda of the Rotary Club of Mansa, a Public Health Specialist who was supporting our training of Community Health Workers in Mpika last month. So inspired was she by the Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia project that she also enrolled in the ICCM course and graduated with a Certificate. As a Public Health specialist, Sophie was so proud to see that the project was delivering primary health care closer to the household because as a health practitioner, she understands the difficulty millions of Zambians, especially mothers and children, face in accessing primary healthcare due to long distances to health facilities.

Since May this year, in spite of the pandemic, Malaria Partners Zambia with its partners has trained over 1,200 Community Health Workers in Muchinga, Central and Copperbelt provinces, delivering primary health care to many Zambian households in 9 high burden districts across the 3 provinces. All this is made possible  by the sacrifice, commitment, and volunteer spirit of Zambian and international Rotarians.

Everyday, during our training activities, you can find Rotarians co-facilitating a session, taking pictures during training sessions, doing advocacy, or accompanying the CHWs for their field practicals. Wherever there’s a need, Rotarians - from past presidents, district administrators, current presidents and ordinary members - are always on hand to lend a helping hand. Through our malaria elimination work, as Rotarians, we are making change happen, serving to change lives and inspiring communities.

#MalariaEndsWithMe