More than 1.25 million people in Zambia now have improved access to malaria testing and treatment thanks to a community-based health initiative that is transforming the fight against one of the country's most serious diseases. The programme demonstrates how sustainable partnerships, local leadership, and dedicated volunteers can create lasting impact far beyond the life of a grant.
On World Malaria Day, Rotary members participating in a Donor Impact Visit travelled to Zambia's Central Province to witness the progress of Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, a programme supported through Rotary's first Programs of Scale grant. Working alongside the Gates Foundation and World Vision U.S., Rotary invested in a $6 million initiative designed to strengthen community healthcare and accelerate malaria prevention and treatment.
At the heart of the programme are 2,500 trained community health workers, who provide testing, treatment, and health education close to people's homes. Their work has made healthcare more accessible, reduced the need for long journeys to clinics, and enabled earlier diagnosis and treatment. Today, these volunteers detect more than half of all confirmed malaria cases in the programme's target districts and successfully treat nearly every patient they identify.
The results are encouraging. Between 2021 and 2025, Zambia reduced malaria cases from 279 to 213 per 1,000 people, while the vast majority of community health worker positions remain active even after the initial grant concluded. This long-term sustainability reflects Rotary's commitment to strengthening local health systems rather than delivering short-term solutions.
Building on this success, the initiative has expanded through the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, bringing the same proven community-based approach to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia. It is a powerful example of how Rotary's partnerships, local expertise, and sustained investment are helping communities move closer to a healthier future.
https://blog.rotary.org/2026/07/30/on-a-mission-to-end-malaria-in-zambia/