Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia has recorded a significant reduction in malaria cases, with total cases falling from 11.5 million in 2023 to 9.5 million in 2024, marking a 24% decline in malaria incidence.
This translates to a decrease from 403 cases per 1,000
populations in 2023 to 305 per 1,000 in 2024, according to Health Minister Dr.
Elijah Muchima.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of SADC Malaria
Week, Dr. Muchima announced that malaria-related deaths have also dropped by
40%, from 8 deaths per 100,000 populations in 2023 to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in
2024.
He revealed that 16% of reported malaria cases
occurred in children under five, while 1% were in pregnant women.
Despite the positive trajectory, Dr. Muchima noted a
16% increase in malaria incidence in the first half of 2025 compared to the
same period in 2024.
However, the mortality rate continues to decline,
dropping further to 3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2025.
To address the recent increase and sustain gains, the
Ministry of Health has intensified several interventions.
These include the launch of the malaria vaccine under
the Expanded Programme on Immunization, the ongoing Indoor Residual Spraying
programme, and a planned 2026 mass distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets
(ITNs).
Dr. Muchima also highlighted the impact of Zambia’s
26,000 trained and deployed community health workers, each serving
approximately 500 people.
In 2024 alone, 33% of malaria cases were managed by
these workers, ensuring that essential health services reach communities across
the country.
Reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to data-driven
strategies, Dr. Muchima launched the latest Malaria Indicator Survey Report,
emphasizing the importance of evidence-based programming and continuous monitoring
to guide policy decisions.
To sustain the progress, Dr. Muchima urged citizens to
take key preventive measures such as pregnant women should take malaria
preventive medication during antenatal visits, everyone should sleep under
insecticide-treated mosquito nets each night, Communities should cooperate with
health officials during spraying campaigns and Individuals should seek prompt
testing and treatment when malaria symptoms occur.
The SADC Malaria Week serves as a regional reminder of
the collective commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030.
Dr. Muchima reiterated Zambia’s dedication to this
goal, emphasizing unity and vigilance in ensuring that no mother, child, or
family member dies from malaria.
By Samuel Mbewe
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