Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Government has started the process of establishing the Zimbabwe End Malaria Council and End Malaria Fund to strengthen domestic financing and accelerate elimination of the disease as external funding becomes less certain.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, announced the initiative at an initial meeting in Harare on Friday to lay the foundation for the council, where business mogul and WestProp Holdings chief executive officer Mr Kenneth Sharpe has been appointed inaugural chairperson. Mr Sharpe lead innovative resource mobilisation, including crowdfunding initiatives, for the Fund.
Dr Mombeshora said the establishment of national End Malaria Councils and Funds was endorsed by African union Heads of State in 2018 and reinforced by SADC Heads of State through the Windhoek Declaration on Eliminating Malaria.
He said Zimbabwe has made significant progress, with malaria incidence declining substantially between 2020 and 2025.
The country now has 31 malaria elimination districts, with four districts – Chikomba, Chirumanzu, Shurugwi and Zvishavane – reporting no local transmission in 2025.
“These achievements demonstrate that elimination is possible. However, we should not confuse progress with completion,” Dr Mombeshora said.
“Malaria continues to claim lives, and sustaining the gains we have made will require continued political commitment, strong programme implementation and importantly, more predictable and sustainable financing.”
Dr Mombeshora said the financing environment for health is changing, with external support becoming less certain while competing demands on national resources continue to grow.
“Government remains committed to increasing domestic financing for health and to strengthening mechanisms such as the AIDS Levy and the development of National Health Insurance. But Government cannot, and should not, carry the entire burden alone,” he said.
The End Malaria Council is expected to bring together Government, business leaders, banks, technical experts, development partners, civil society and religious organisations to drive advocacy, resource mobilisation, innovation and partnerships.
“I want to emphasise that this should not become simply another fundraising initiative. We want to build a credible national platform for sustained action against malaria, with clear objectives, strong governance and measurable results,” Dr Mombeshora said.
He said the council’s success will be measured not by meetings held or money raised, but by how fast Zimbabwe moves towards a country where malaria is no longer a major public health threat.
Mr Sharpe said innovative domestic solutions, including crowdfunding, will be critical to sustain gains.
“Today will be our first meeting, and definitely we need to engage innovative methods to raise funding, because government alone cannot solve this problem,” Mr Sharpe said.
He said solutions must be homegrown and involve communities in affected areas.
“I think for me as the chairman of this council, it’s important to understand that whatever solution we put in place is a Zimbabwe solution. A solution brought to us by the people.”
He also pledged to deliver on the mandate: “I have never taken a challenge that I have not succeeded in completing.
“So, I would like to give you my assurance that under my leadership, I will make sure that we achieve our goals.”
