Commitment Towards Malaria Elimination in Zambia

Following the purchase of 3,797 bicycles, on 21st September 2018, CHAZ handed over the bicycles to the National Malaria Elimination Centre (NMEC) through the Ministry of Health for onward distribution to Community Health Workers (CHWs) trained in Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM).

The bicycles were purchased at a cost of K456, 018 with the support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Permanent Secretary – Health Services, Dr.JabbinMulwanda was the Director of Public Health, Dr Andrew Silumesi.

Dr.JabbinMulwanda said, government has intergrated community case management to reduce child mortality and morbidity throughout the country.

Dr.Mulwanda further said that the approach also aims to increase community access to cost effective and quality lifesaving curative interventions for common childhood illnesses.

In a speech read by Mr. Marlon Banda, CHAZ Executive Director Mrs. Karen Sichinga said the involvement of the CHWs in the diagnosis and prompt treatment has resulted in the reduction of a number of preventable diseases.

“The need for mobility of the CHW’s could not be overruled or ignored hence the support for procurement of the bicycles, so as to ensure that the community health workers perform their duties effectively, in order achieve the intended outcome which is elimination of malaria and other preventable diseases”, said Mrs. Sichinga.

“CHWs cover long distances in reaching out to the people. The purchase of bicycles will tremendously ease the work of the CHW in reaching out to communities in eliminating Malaria. At the moment, each CHW covers a catchment population of 500 to 750 people”, said Mrs. Sichinga.

Mrs. Sichinga added that the donation of bicycles will not only motivate the CHWs but will also intensify follow-ups of patients and will also increase sensitization in the communities in relation to Malaria activities.

Since 2015, CHAZ has trained over 10,000 CHW in ICCM at country level with the support from the Global Fund.

The event which took place at NMEC was attended by partners in the fight against Malaria and NMEC officials. Others were members of staff from CHAZ; Head of Health Programmes Dr.DhallyMenda, Head of Grants, Compliance and Procurment, Mr. Michael Kachumi and Manager for Pharmaceuticals and Logistics Services Mrs. ChishibaChibuta.