Zimbabwe Faces Malaria Resurgence Amid USAID Funding Cuts

Zimbabwe's battle against malaria has faced a severe setback as the disease has resurfaced with alarming intensity, resulting in a dramatic increase in both cases and related fatalities. According to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health, malaria cases surged by 180% in the first four months of 2025, with deaths rising by 218%, from 45 in the same period in 2024 to 143 in 2025. This resurgence follows significant funding cuts by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which have disrupted critical healthcare initiatives, including the distribution of mosquito nets and essential malaria research programs.

The health ministry recorded 119,648 malaria cases and 334 deaths as of June 26, 2025. This alarming data highlights the impact of USAID's funding withdrawal, which halted vital support for Zimbabwe's National Malaria Control Programme. Prior to the cuts, the country had made considerable progress in malaria control, significantly reducing case numbers through various strategies, including the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and community awareness campaigns.

Dr. Itai Rusike, Director of the Community Working Group on Health, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track. If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost." The shortage of 600,000 mosquito nets due to the USAID cuts has left hundreds of thousands of individuals vulnerable to mosquito bites, exacerbating the malaria crisis.

Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento), housed at Africa University in Mutare, has seen its research capabilities crippled. The program was integral to the National Malaria Control Programme, providing essential scientific research and surveillance to combat malaria effectively. Prof. Sungano Mharakurwa, Director of Africa University's Malaria Institute, noted the program's significant achievements before the funding cuts, stating, "When the Zento mosquito surveillance program began in Manicaland province, we saw a marked reduction in malaria cases. However, the abrupt termination of funding has reversed this progress."

Historical context reveals that Zimbabwe had set a goal to eliminate malaria by 2030, aligning with the African Union’s ambitious public health objectives. The country had previously recorded a drop in malaria cases from 145,775 in 2020 to just 28,387 in 2021 following the introduction of the Zento program. However, the recent funding cuts have led to a resurgence, with reports indicating that malaria cases in Manicaland alone have risen to 27,212 in 2025, surpassing previous records.

Former health minister Dr. Henry Madzorera urged Zimbabwe to mobilize local resources to address the funding gap created by the USAID cuts. "We have a lot of taxes earmarked for the health sector – let us use them wisely for health promotion and disease prevention," he said. The deputy health minister, Sleiman Kwidini, confirmed the funding gap's disruption of mosquito net distribution, stating, "We are now taking over the procurement of those nets after the US withdrew funding."

In addition to funding challenges, environmental factors have also contributed to the resurgence of malaria. Prof. Mharakurwa pointed out that above-normal rainfall this year has facilitated the transmission of the disease, worsening an already critical health crisis. As Zimbabwe grapples with this resurgence, the importance of both domestic funding and international support remains paramount. Experts stress that without immediate action, including the restoration of funding and the swift distribution of essential resources, the country could face escalating health consequences, reversing decades of progress made in malaria control.

As Zimbabwe endeavors to combat this public health challenge, the implications of USAID funding cuts extend beyond malaria, calling into question the sustainability of health initiatives reliant on international aid. The situation underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations and ensure that progress against malaria is not only sustained but advanced despite external challenges.