Harare, (New Ziana) – While Zimbabwe faces a dramatic rise in malaria cases and deaths nationwide, Mashonaland West province has recorded a notable decline in daily infections, a development health officials attribute to intensified awareness campaigns and multi sectoral interventions.
Provincial Medical Director Dr. Celestino Dhege confirmed the drop, citing enhanced community engagement as a key factor. “The numbers per day are going down.
Earlier, we were recording around 800 per day. As of now, the reports are showing 359 new cases around the province,” he said during a recent Provincial Development Committee (PDC) meeting.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mashonaland West recorded 172 new malaria cases across its seven districts within the past 24 hours.
Hurungwe and Makonde districts remain the most affected, with 88 and 45 cases respectively, down significantly from the previous week’s average of 250 combined daily cases.
Other districts including Chegutu, Sanyati, Zvimba, Kariba, and Mhondoro each recorded fewer than 30 cases. Despite this progress, malaria remains a pressing concern in the province, which has recorded 16,680 cumulative cases and 50 deaths since January 2025.
Kariba District is currently experiencing a localized surge. District Medical Officer Dr. Godwin Muza reported 87 new cases in the past week, with both urban and rural areas affected.
“Nyamhunga accounts for 24 percent of the cases, Musambakaruma 30 percent, while Kanyati and Kasvisva each contributed 10 percent,” he said.
Other affected areas include Gache Gache (8 percent), Mahombekombe (6 percent), and Siakobvu (6 percent). No deaths have been reported in Kariba so far.
In response, health authorities have deployed environmental health technicians, stocked facilities with diagnostic kits and antimalarial drugs, and escalated community education efforts.
Nationally, the malaria situation is worsening. By Week 17 of 2025 cases had surged by 180 percent rising from 21,309 in 2024 to 59,647 this year, while deaths jumped 218 percent, from 45 to 143.
The Ministry attributes the spike to climate change, increased rainfall, artisanal mining, and delays in seeking treatment. Children under five represent 14 percent of total cases. Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West account for over 82 percent of national cases and nearly 73 percent of deaths.
The number of reported outbreaks skyrocketed from one in 2024 to 115 this year, with only 23 contained so far.
The Ministry has scaled up prevention efforts, including distributing 1.6 million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) across 14 high risk districts though 600,000 more are needed due to a funding shortfall after the withdrawal of U.S. support.
Despite logistical challenges, adequate stocks of test kits and treatment medicines have been maintained. Authorities continue to urge the public to use ITNs, eliminate stagnant water, wear protective clothing, and seek early treatment.
“Malaria is preventable and curable, but it can kill if not treated early,” the Ministry emphasized in a press statement. Zimbabwe observed World Malaria Day under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us”, calling for renewed commitment and innovative strategies to sustain recent gains and curb the ongoing surge.
New Ziana
