Africa University puts Zimbabwe on path to eradicate malaria

Sunday Mail Reporters

ZIMBABWE is making significant progress towards eradicating malaria after Africa University (AU) embarked on the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (ZENTO), which has produced cutting-edge research to fight the disease.

AU has received support from development partners and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to facilitate research to complement Government’s National Malaria Control and Elimination Strategy for 2021-2026. To date, research has focused on surveillance of mosquitoes, particularly in areas hardest hit by malaria. At the same time, a malaria reference insectary unit, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was opened at AU.

The AU’s research centre has grown into an internationally renowned knowledge hub that contributes to the global discourse on malaria, while managing the spread of the disease. Speaking during a tour of the centre by a delegation from USAID, AU Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Mageto said the university is delighted that the whole of Zimbabwe has benefitted from ZENTO.

“Malaria impedes a lot of progress and development; just by curbing it, we help Zimbabwe to develop. Malaria is like a cost to the nation of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Through this research, we are able to address that cost. Then you are likely to see your economic, your human and social cost declining. The beauty of it is that this project started in Manicaland, but now it has extended to other provinces.”

Prof Mageto said ZENTO fulfils the Government’s Education 5.0 initiative, which enjoins tertiary institutions to come up with innovations that solve problems and promote development.

“We have seen in Manicaland that after this project was launched, cases of malaria have declined. We are happy that cases are now also going down nationally.

“Then, from an academic point of view, this project has enabled us to see the best performers among our students. They have come up with impressive case studies.”

Professor Sungano Mharakurwa, the chief of party for ZENTO, said they are confident of achieving the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria through the research.

“Towards realising our vision, we will endeavour to show proof of concept of our capabilities and to pursue any funding opportunities for support that may be available in the near or distant future,” he said.

“We look to continue striving for programme success and further growth to cover greater geographical areas plagued by malaria on the strength of our partnership with development partners and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”

He added: “This project has managed to change policies on how to control malaria, not only in Manicaland but also in the whole country. If you compare the burden of malaria, from 2013 to the current, there has been up to 60 percent reduction.”

USAID malaria expert Mr Regis Magauzi said there was once a time when 90 percent of bedding in hospitals was occupied by malaria cases.

“So, when you admit so many patients due to malaria, it’s a cost to the nation, it’s a cost to the Government. If you are reducing the malaria burden, you are also reducing the cost.” USAID mission director for Zimbabwe Ms Janean Davis said the AU has the right expertise to execute the ZENTO project.

Ministry of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze recently said Zimbabwe is committed to ensuring zero local transmission of malaria in at least 11 districts, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of districts where transmission is eliminated to 36 by 2025.

According to the World Health Organisation, there is urgent need for developing countries to increase investment in malaria prevention measures due to climate change, which causes malaria cases to multiply.