The End Malaria Council of Zambia has warned that the country continues to lose between three and four people every day to malaria, a grim reality that translates to more than 1,000 preventable deaths each year. Malcolm Chabala, Advocacy and Communication Chairperson of the End Malaria Council, said the disease remains one of Zambia’s deadliest public health threats, disproportionately affecting pregnant women, children under five, and young people. Speaking during a press briefing following the Council’s first-quarter board meeting in Lusaka, Chabala noted that the fight against malaria now required greater financial investment than ever before to sustain prevention, treatment, and awareness efforts.
He emphasized that despite progress over the years, malaria continues to undermine national development by placing immense pressure on families, the health system, and the economy. “Every statistic represents a human life lost, a mother, a child, a future contributor to our nation. Malaria is not just a health issue; it is a development crisis,” Chabala stated.
To respond to the growing need, he said the End Malaria Council has lined up a series of national fundraising activities aimed at mobilising resources exclusively for malaria interventions under the Ministry of Health. “All funds raised will go directly toward saving lives. Every kwacha raised goes into the malaria fight.
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There is no diversion, these resources support prevention, treatment, and community awareness that ultimately stop deaths,” he said. Chabala also called on the media and the public to help amplify the message that donations are not charity, but an investment in lives and in Zambia’s future. “With collective action and sustained support, a malaria-free Zambia is achievable.
Together, we can save lives. Together, we can end malaria,” he said. “This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.
Without adequate donations, lives will continue to be lost daily to a disease that is both preventable and treatable,” he said. Matilda Simpungwe, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said the Council had a yearly budget of US$66 million to fight malaria in Zambia, which aligns with the five-year strategic plan and increases the total budget to US$360 million. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
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