On November 8, 2024, Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Hon. General (Rtd) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, led the commemoration of SADC Malaria Day and launched Zimbabwe’s ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me’ campaign in Murehwa Village, Mashonaland East Province. The campaign, which aligns with Southern Africa’s regional malaria elimination goals, aims to galvanize community and political support in the fight against malaria in Zimbabwe and the region.

Vice President Chiwenga underscored the importance of building resilient health systems grounded in universal health coverage, ensuring that malaria testing and treatment services are accessible to all. “Our strategy must ensure that each citizen, regardless of their location, has access to accurate information on malaria prevention, control, and elimination,” he said. He also emphasized that community engagement is essential, particularly in border regions where populations often face increased risk due to movement and inconsistent healthcare services.

Chiwenga commended the dedication of community health workers and volunteers, who bring life-saving diagnostics and treatments to vulnerable populations, often under challenging conditions. He highlighted the importance of this year’s theme, “Resilient Health Systems and Communities: Key to Malaria Elimination”, adding that timely access to malaria services should be considered a right for everyone.

Ms. Angele Makombo Ntumba, SADC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, applauded the 16 SADC Member States, including Zimbabwe, for their efforts in strengthening cross-border malaria initiatives. She noted the region’s success in harmonizing policies, while also addressing challenges like climate change, which has exacerbated malaria outbreaks through increased floods and cyclones.

Professor Sheila Tlou, Ambassador for the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), echoed the importance of robust health systems and community involvement in achieving the goals set by the Windhoek Declaration on Eliminating Malaria. Signed in 2018 by SADC Heads of State, the declaration calls for collaborative efforts, policy harmonization, increased funding, and data sharing to eliminate malaria by 2030. Professor Tlou commended Zimbabwe’s dedication to the cause and urged all countries to continue accelerating their efforts.

By launching ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me,’ Zimbabwe joins 24 other African nations in a movement that started in Senegal in 2014 and has now transformed into a continent-wide initiative endorsed by the African Union. The campaign is based on three pillars: political engagement, private-sector support, and community involvement. This framework is designed to keep malaria high on political agendas, mobilize funding, and empower communities and leaders alike in the fight against malaria.

The call for increased financing resonated across the event, as speakers emphasized the urgent need for resources to accelerate malaria elimination efforts. With Zimbabwe now part of the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaign, the nation stands united with SADC and the African Union in its determination to end malaria by 2030.