New Push Against Malaria
Lusaka, Zambia24 – 2 April 2026 – Zambia is intensifying its push against malaria as World Vision Zambia and the End Malaria Council formalise a partnership to strengthen malaria prevention, treatment, and community awareness, particularly in rural areas where the disease continues to claim lives daily.
The partnership was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a high-level engagement attended by government officials, private sector leaders, and international partners from across Africa.
Marc Nosbach, National Director for World Vision Zambia, highlighted the organisation’s strong presence in over 64 districts across all provinces.
Through its programmes and VisionFund, its microfinance arm, World Vision currently reaches more than 2.1 million people under its strategic plan.
“This collaboration is exciting because it allows us to deepen engagement in communities, especially among children and families,” Nosbach said.
“Malaria prevention requires awareness, treatment, and sustained action at the local level, and this partnership gives us the platform to deliver that.”
He noted that World Vision already works with more than 2,500 community health workers, who have detected over 1.3 million malaria cases this year.
Across 10 districts in Eastern Province, a total of 2.3 million malaria cases have been recorded, with approximately 1.8 million successfully treated.
Nosbach stressed that empowering communities is central to sustainable malaria prevention.
“Once people have the knowledge and resources to protect themselves, they can take ownership of interventions and ensure lasting impact. It’s about giving communities the tools to succeed on their own,” he said.
Peter Cottan, Chairperson of the End Malaria Council Fund Chairperson highlighted the urgent need for action, noting that Zambia loses an average of four people every day to malaria.
“Our goal is to eliminate malaria by 2030, with zero malaria-related deaths as the first milestone,” Cottan said.
“We have already seen success in parts of Zambia, where companies like First Quantum Minerals have achieved zero malaria among their workers and families. This proves that it is possible to scale such results nationwide.”
Cottan welcomed representatives from other African countries visiting Zambia to learn from the End Malaria Council’s approach.
“Our model is increasingly recognised as a leading example in Africa and globally. It brings together government, private sector, civil society, and organisations like World Vision, all working towards one common goal—zero malaria deaths,” he said.
He added that private sector support is vital to achieving the council’s goals.
“Companies like First Quantum Minerals, along with other private and public sector partners, have already contributed millions of dollars. More organisations need to come on board to support our mission and expand these life-saving interventions across Zambia,” Cottan said.
The partnership comes at a critical time as Zambia continues to face high malaria rates, particularly in rural communities.
The MoU between World Vision and the End Malaria Council will focus on awareness campaigns, community engagement, resource mobilisation, advocacy, and sustainable interventions to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially children.
World Vision and the End Malaria Council emphasised that collaboration, community empowerment, and sustained investment are key to ending malaria in Zambia, turning the vision of zero malaria deaths into a reality.
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