Latest news with #Mutare
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Malaria ‘back with a vengeance' in Zimbabwe as number of deaths from the disease triple
Zimbabwe's efforts to control malaria have been dealt a huge blow as experts say the disease has returned 'with a vengeance' after US aid cuts, with 115 outbreaks recorded in 2025 compared with only one last year. The sharp rise in cases comes six months after Donald Trump halted critical funding for US research and national response programmes. The cuts in January, which included funding for tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria programmes, crippled the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento) at Africa University in Mutare, which provides the country's National Malaria Control Programme with scientific research to combat the disease. Cumulative malaria cases increased by 180% in the first four months of 2025, according to the health ministry, while the number of malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in the same period in 2024 to 143 in 2025. As of 26 June, the number of malaria cases had risen to 119,648, with 334 deaths, according to the Zimbabwean health ministry. The distribution of essential control methods, such as mosquito nets, was also disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands of people exposed to mosquito bites across the country. The health ministry said in May that 1,615,000 insecticide-treated nets were being distributed but that there was a shortfall of 600,000 due to the withdrawal of US funding. Itai Rusike, director of Zimbabwe's Community Working Group on Health, said funding shortfalls were jeopardising the country's significant gains against malaria over the past 20 years. 'Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,' he said. 'If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost. When the supply of test kits and first-line treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will spiral.' Children under the age of five account for 14% of total malaria cases. Zimbabwe has set out to eliminate malaria by 2030, in line with the ambitious goal set by the African Union, using various strategies such as raising community awareness, preventing mosquito bites with insecticide-treated nets and spraying, as well as improving surveillance systems. Dr Henry Madzorera, a former health minister, said Zimbabwe should mobilise its own resources to bridge the funding gap. 'We have a lot of taxes earmarked for the health sector – let us use them wisely for health promotion and disease prevention,' he said. 'People must be treated early for malaria. 'The country should not rely on donors to do malaria-elimination activities,' Madzorera added. In 2024, USAID disbursed $270m for health and agriculture programmes in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's deputy health minister, Sleiman Kwidini, admitted the funding gap left by the US cuts had disrupted the provision of mosquito nets. 'We are now taking over the procurement of those nets after the US withdrew funding. We have just been disturbed, but our vision is to eliminate malaria by 2030,' he said. Prof Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University's Malaria Institute, said it would take time to recover lost ground but added: 'If we get funding, we can hit the ground running and promptly return to scoring successes again, until we beat this deadly scourge that is malaria.' He said that since the Zento mosquito surveillance programme began in Manicaland province, there had been a marked reduction in malaria cases and it was about to be extended when the US cuts came. 'Working with the National Malaria Control Programme, it had just been expanded,' Mharakurwa said. 'It was poised to run for five years with national coverage when it was abruptly terminated.' Africa University data shows that Manicaland recorded 145,775 malaria cases in 2020 but just 28,387 after Zento was introduced in 2021. Malaria cases in the province had been further reduced to 8,035 by 2024 before more than trebling to 27,212 the following year, when US funding was cut. Mharakurwa said: 'The malaria was back with a vengeance straight after, and [numbers of] cases that were waning rebounded in 2025, surpassing levels that had ever been seen since the beginning of the project.' Above-normal rains this year, which aided malaria transmission, had worsened the situation, he added.
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Malaria ‘back with a vengeance' in Zimbabwe as number of deaths from the disease triple
Zimbabwe's efforts to control malaria have been dealt a huge blow as experts say the disease has returned 'with a vengeance' after US aid cuts, with 115 outbreaks recorded in 2025 compared with only one last year. The sharp rise in cases comes six months after Donald Trump halted critical funding for US research and national response programmes. The cuts in January, which included funding for tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria programmes, crippled the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento) at Africa University in Mutare, which provides the country's National Malaria Control Programme with scientific research to combat the disease. Cumulative malaria cases increased by 180% in the first four months of 2025, according to the health ministry, while the number of malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in the same period in 2024 to 143 in 2025. As of 26 June, the number of malaria cases had risen to 119,648, with 334 deaths, according to the Zimbabwean health ministry. The distribution of essential control methods, such as mosquito nets, was also disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands of people exposed to mosquito bites across the country. The health ministry said in May that 1,615,000 insecticide-treated nets were being distributed but that there was a shortfall of 600,000 due to the withdrawal of US funding. Itai Rusike, director of Zimbabwe's Community Working Group on Health, said funding shortfalls were jeopardising the country's significant gains against malaria over the past 20 years. 'Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,' he said. 'If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost. When the supply of test kits and first-line treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will spiral.' Children under the age of five account for 14% of total malaria cases. Zimbabwe has set out to eliminate malaria by 2030, in line with the ambitious goal set by the African Union, using various strategies such as raising community awareness, preventing mosquito bites with insecticide-treated nets and spraying, as well as improving surveillance systems. Dr Henry Madzorera, a former health minister, said Zimbabwe should mobilise its own resources to bridge the funding gap. 'We have a lot of taxes earmarked for the health sector – let us use them wisely for health promotion and disease prevention,' he said. 'People must be treated early for malaria. 'The country should not rely on donors to do malaria-elimination activities,' Madzorera added. In 2024, USAID disbursed $270m for health and agriculture programmes in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's deputy health minister, Sleiman Kwidini, admitted the funding gap left by the US cuts had disrupted the provision of mosquito nets. 'We are now taking over the procurement of those nets after the US withdrew funding. We have just been disturbed, but our vision is to eliminate malaria by 2030,' he said. Prof Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University's Malaria Institute, said it would take time to recover lost ground but added: 'If we get funding, we can hit the ground running and promptly return to scoring successes again, until we beat this deadly scourge that is malaria.' He said that since the Zento mosquito surveillance programme began in Manicaland province, there had been a marked reduction in malaria cases and it was about to be extended when the US cuts came. 'Working with the National Malaria Control Programme, it had just been expanded,' Mharakurwa said. 'It was poised to run for five years with national coverage when it was abruptly terminated.' Africa University data shows that Manicaland recorded 145,775 malaria cases in 2020 but just 28,387 after Zento was introduced in 2021. Malaria cases in the province had been further reduced to 8,035 by 2024 before more than trebling to 27,212 the following year, when US funding was cut. Mharakurwa said: 'The malaria was back with a vengeance straight after, and [numbers of] cases that were waning rebounded in 2025, surpassing levels that had ever been seen since the beginning of the project.' Above-normal rains this year, which aided malaria transmission, had worsened the situation, he added.
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Science
- Zawya
A new solar power plant powers progress in Zimbabwe's renewable energy sector
Apart from the noise and air pollution from the diesel-powered generators, the backup system did not run the whole night. 'It was disruptive,' says the 26-year-old from Angola, who is studying Education at Africa University, a United Methodist Church-related institution. 'You have an assignment due and you are still researching online and if the electricity goes off, you cannot meet the deadline.' Lumboa is lucky not to have missed the deadline for any of his assignments, but most of his fellow students have been missing deadlines due to rolling power cuts. A new solar mini-grid at AU, just outside Zimbabwe's third-largest city of Mutare, is changing the lives of students like Lumboa. The 250 kilowatt solar power plant, officially commissioned on 6 June, has 590 solar panels, a 250 kilovolt inverter system and a 600 kilowatt-hour battery bank. The lithium batteries have a lifespan of 25 years. The system is providing uninterrupted power to the AU's main campus, including student hostels and laboratories. 'Annually, we had to spend a minimum of USD 216,000. That was our energy bill. Our maximum will be around USD 240,000. So, we will save around USD 240,000 per year,' says Professor Talon Garikayi, a deputy Vice Chancellor at AU, an engineer overseeing the solar power project. In 2024, the southern African nation was hit by a punishing drought fueled by El Niño, a climate phenomenon that can worsen dry spells or storms, extreme weather events increasingly linked to climate change. This led to a sharp drop in water levels in Lake Kariba, home to the country's main hydropower plant, which is shared with Zambia. The authorities were forced to roll out load shedding schedules lasting for more than 18 hours. Lake Kariba was generating less than 20 percent of its installed capacity of 1050 megawatts (MW) at the time. In April 2024, the government declared the drought a national disaster—the worst in 40 years—which left more than half the population food insecure. Institutions like AU had to turn to diesel-powered generators, which are expensive to run. And students like Lumboa had to bear the brunt of load shedding at AU. Reverend Alfiado Zunguza, AU Board of Directors chairperson, says this makes education expensive. 'We felt like it was critical to invest in this solar power plant to ensure the university continues to be reliable in its operations and its systems that are critical in advancing the knowledge of the continent,' he says. 'The university was spending USD 240,000 a year for electricity, making education expensive. So we want to reduce the cost of education at AU, making it more affordable to as many people as possible.' He says in the long run, AU is saving more, and the funds can be channeled towards infrastructure development, research labs, and capacity building. The Zimbabwe government, through its National Energy Policy, is planning to generate 2,100 MW by 2030 from renewable energy and biofuels like ethanol. Maria Kwikiriza, who is from Uganda and is studying law, says that by investing in renewable energy, the institution is contributing to a clean environment. 'The campus is now quiet. The oil from the generator was affecting my breathing. We now have access to WiFi all night, which is essential for our studying,' says the 25-year-old who has asthma. Zimbabwe, a country of 15.1 million people, has 62 percent electricity access and relies heavily on coal and hydropower for its energy needs. The AU is improving electricity access to the community through its new solar power plant. Reverend Peter Mageto, AU vice chancellor, says his institution is releasing electricity, which will benefit surrounding communities. 'So, we are glad that we are venturing into this so that the electricity supply authorities can provide electricity to the underserved communities,' he says, adding that this project is part of the AU's strategic plan running from 2023 to 2027. Mageto, who is from Kenya, says he brought with him lessons learned from Kenya, which is one of the nations doing well in renewable energy in Africa. Dr. James Sally, chief executive officer of Africa University, Tennessee, says the solar mini-grid was funded by AU Tennessee Corporation, which founded AU Zimbabwe more than 30 years ago. 'No donor provided funding for this project and that is the uniqueness of it. That is what I am talking about—sustainability,' says Sally, who is also the associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement at AU. Garikayi says AU is working to generate 1.4 MW by October, enough to cover the university's farm and its residential areas. This solar power plant will become the biggest in Manicaland Province after a 200 kW solar mini-grid in Hakwata in Chipinge, a 140 kW solar power plant at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and a 150 kW solar power plant at Mutambara Mission Hospital, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He says if he has excess electricity, it will be extended to nearby Old Mutare, which has a school, an orphanage, and a hospital. 'We will be able to say there are 1,200 business units within Manicaland. Everyone within the region can now use the energy we would have been allocated,' Garikayi says, adding that the AU will reduce the load from the national grid. Lumbo is planning to replicate this solar power plant in his country, Angola. 'I was talking to my fellow countrymen about taking this technology back home. It improves students' welfare and boosts our confidence,' he says.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Zimbabwe makes strides in reducing antimicrobial use in poultry with FAO support
Zimbabwe is making significant progress in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within its poultry sector, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe. Through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) supported project and the Fleming Fund global project, the initiative has successfully reduced the overuse of antimicrobials in the broiler value chain by empowering farmers with sustainable and biosecure poultry production practices. Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global health, food security, and economic stability. The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock production contributes significantly to this problem, leading to the development of resistant bacteria that can spread to humans, making infections harder to treat. The project, implemented in eight districts – Bubi, Chegutu, Masvingo, Marondera, Murewa, Mutare, Mutasa, and Zvimba – employed the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach to promote improved husbandry practices. This hands-on, participatory method equips farmers with the knowledge and skills to enhance biosecurity, prevent diseases, and ultimately reduce their reliance on antimicrobials. Speaking at a recent project review meeting, Berhanu Bedane, FAO Livestock Development Officer, emphasized the project's impact. "This initiative has demonstrated the value and impact of the One Health approach, where sectors across human and animal health collaborated to address the shared threat of antimicrobial resistance," he stated. He highlighted that FAO's focus was on delivering practical, evidence-based interventions directly to the animal health sector. The FFS model proved instrumental in achieving these goals. By providing farmers with tailored training and communication materials, the project fostered a deeper understanding of disease prevention and the importance of responsible use of antimicrobials. A baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey informed the development of these materials, ensuring they were relevant and effective. "The farmer field schools have been empowering poultry farmers through hands-on training in sustainable and biosecure poultry production," Bedane explained. "This enhances poultry productivity while simultaneously reducing the use of antimicrobials through the reduction of infections, making our health more secure and sustainable." He also noted similar initiatives in the dairy value chain aimed at understanding and reducing antimicrobial use through prudent biosecurity and animal health management systems. The Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Pious Makaya echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the project's alignment with Zimbabwe's national development priorities, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the broader Vision 2030. "What we have heard today is in sync with the national development imperatives that we have," he said. He specifically highlighted the project's contribution to key national priorities such as health and well-being, food security, and food safety. "Our health would be enhanced and improved, and also the health of the animals as well, the health of the environment as well would also be improved," he stated, adding that enhanced animal health improves livestock production and promotes food safety. The DVS Chief Director recognized the complexity of tackling AMR, describing it as a "wicked problem" requiring multifaceted solutions. "We cannot have one single solution. It is not a linear problem," he emphasized, underscoring the importance of the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the MPTF and Fleming fund projects. He also stressed the need for continuous review and adaptation of strategies to keep pace with the evolving nature of AMR. Looking ahead, both FAO and the Government of Zimbabwe reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining momentum in the fight against AMR. Berhanu Bedane stated that FAO and its partners in the Quadripartite are fully committed to maintaining momentum. He also pointed towards consolidating the achievements realized and identifying clear pathways for continued collaboration in the implementation of Zimbabwe's AMR National Action Plan 2.0. The country is also being considered for a phase two of the MPTF project. The success of this collaborative initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships and the effectiveness of empowering farmers with knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices. These achievements also contribute to broader global goals under the RENOFARM initiative (Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms), which promotes reduced antimicrobial reliance through strengthened biosecurity, preventive animal health strategies, and improved farming practices. By reducing the reliance on antimicrobials in livestock production, Zimbabwe is taking a crucial step toward safeguarding public health, promoting food security, and protecting the environment for future generations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
