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Malaria returns with force in Zimbabwe amid US aid cuts
Zimbabwe is facing a major public health crisis as malaria resurges at an alarming rate. The number of deaths linked to the disease has tripled this year, following the withdrawal of crucial US aid funds that previously supported malaria control efforts.
According to the Ministry of Health, there were 119,648 malaria cases and 334 related deaths by late June 2025, a staggering rise from just 45 deaths during the same period in 2024. This dramatic increase is attributed in part to the discontinuation of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a decision made under the Trump administration in early 2025.
Experts warn that decades of progress are at risk. The Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento), based at Africa University, was a key contributor to the country’s malaria response. It has now halted operations, affecting the national strategy to monitor and prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
The distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets—vital to malaria prevention—has also been severely affected. A shortfall of 600,000 nets has left thousands vulnerable, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access is limited. Children under five, who represent 14% of all cases, are among the most affected.
“We must not rely solely on external donors,” said former Health Minister Dr. Henry Madzorera. “Zimbabwe has domestic resources earmarked for health. We should use them effectively.”
Zimbabwe’s goal remains to eliminate malaria by 2030, in line with the African Union’s health strategy. However, without stable funding and a robust prevention campaign, that ambition is increasingly in jeopardy.
