Life-Saving Kits Reach School Children
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24, 22 January 2026
The International Zinc Association (IZA), through its Zinc Saves Kids Foundation, in collaboration with Pharmanova Zambia Limited, on Tuesday donated 50,000 “Kit ya Moyo” anti-diarrhoea packs to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Healthy Learners Programme.
The donation supports child health under the Government School Health Programme.
The kits, which combine zinc and oral rehydration salts, are designed to treat and prevent diarrhoea, one of the leading causes of illness and school absenteeism among children under five in Zambia.
The initiative aims to strengthen school health services and reduce preventable child deaths.
Permanent Secretary Joma Simuyi, receiving the donation on behalf of Health Minister Elijah Muchima, highlighted the ongoing public health challenge posed by diarrhoeal diseases, particularly in cholera-prone areas.
“This donation is a strong demonstration of how public–private partnerships can support government systems to improve child health,” he said.
Simuyi explained that the kits allow immediate, life-saving interventions at the school level, while children needing further care are referred to health facilities.
He praised Pharmanova and the IZA for channeling the donation through government systems, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions and confidence in national leadership.
He also acknowledged the technical and logistical support of Healthy Learners, which works closely with the Ministries of Health and Education.
“School Health Teachers remain central to this programme, ensuring resources reach the children who need them most,” Simuyi said.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to cholera preparedness, hygiene promotion, and pre-positioning essential health commodities in high-risk districts.
Special Advisor to the President, Roma Chilengi, described the donation as an important contribution to improving child healthcare.
Eric Van Gerenden, IZA Director for Environment, Health, and Sustainability, said zinc deficiency remains a major global public health challenge, affecting more than one billion people worldwide and contributing to over 100,000 child deaths annually, many linked to diarrhoeal disease.
He noted that Zambia’s school-based delivery model under the Healthy Learners Programme will help reduce illness-related absenteeism and improve learning outcomes.
Van Gerenden described the partnership with Pharmanova, the Ministries, and Healthy Learners as early but promising, with Zambia set to showcase its zinc intervention model at the International Zinc & Zinc Oxide Conference in February 2026.
He also highlighted opportunities for broader cooperation in areas such as mining, agriculture, nutrition, and sustainable development.
He emphasized the multisectoral nature of the partnership, combining local manufacturing, government leadership, and school-based delivery.
Pharmanova Zambia CEO Mohammed Umar said the donation reflects the company’s commitment to providing affordable, locally manufactured health solutions.
He highlighted that Kit ya Moyo, introduced in 2012 in partnership with the UK-based ColaLife Foundation, has evolved from a donor-supported pilot into a sustainable, nationally distributed product available in public health facilities, pharmacies, and school health centres.
“Addressing childhood illness requires collaboration between the private sector, government, and development partners. No single institution can do this alone,” Umar said.
He added that extending the programme to schools ensures children remain healthy and attend school consistently and commended the media for raising awareness about the product’s life-saving benefits.
Ignicious Bulongo, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Healthy Learners, said the organisation supports government systems by providing technical support, logistics, training, and monitoring, ensuring health services reach children reliably in schools.
“Since 2014, this model has trained thousands of School Health Teachers, supported hundreds of thousands of sick learners, and improved attendance and learning outcomes nationwide,” Bulongo said.
He praised Pharmanova and the IZA for channeling the donation through a government platform, reflecting confidence in national systems, and reaffirmed Healthy Learners’ commitment to working with government, schools, and teachers to ensure every child has the opportunity to be healthy and learn.
The 50,000 “Kit ya Moyo” packs will be integrated into existing school health routines, managed by trained school health teachers and linked to nearby government health facilities, ensuring sustainability and lasting impact on child health across Zambia.
Jacqueline Chishimba, Deputy Director-General of the Public-Private Dialogue Forum, disclosed that a Health Technical Working Group has been established to address broader challenges in healthcare delivery, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and systemic solutions in improving Zambia’s child health outcomes.
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