Cabinet has approved a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zimbabwe and China aimed at strengthening malaria control, research and elimination efforts through enhanced scientific cooperation and capacity building.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister, Zhemu Soda, said the MoU establishes a structured framework for long-term cooperation in malaria research and control.
“The MoU seeks to establish a framework for co-operation in enhancing academic and research capabilities for malaria control and elimination,” he said.
Soda said implementation of the agreement will be anchored within Zimbabwe’s existing health research structures.
“The co-operation will be implemented through the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) under the ministry of Health and Child Care,” he said.
Soda added that the partnership will focus on joint interventions aimed at improving disease control systems, research output and technology transfer between the two countries.
“The areas of co-operation include joint disease control initiatives, research and technology transfer, capacity building and multilateral collaboration,” he said.
Cabinet also highlighted that the agreement places strong emphasis on strengthening malaria response in high-burden areas across Zimbabwe through improved surveillance and evaluation systems.
- SRC engages marketing experts for Zim sport
- SRC engages marketing experts for Zim sport
- PNL teams clash in pre-season tourney
- ICT ministry signs MoU to promote digital literacy
Keep Reading
“The Parties will promote malaria control strategies, including surveillance, response and evaluation models in high Malaria burden areas in Zimbabwe,” Soda said.
A major component of the MoU is the establishment of a joint China Zimbabwe malaria laboratory, which will focus on critical research into drug resistance and vector control.
“The Parties will also collaborate in establishing a China-Zimbabwe joint malaria laboratory for monitoring anti-malarial drug resistance and vector control research.
“The facility is expected to enhance Zimbabwe’s capacity to generate local scientific data to support more effective malaria interventions,” he noted
The cooperation will also include technical training programmes targeting laboratory management, epidemiology and health economics.
Cabinet further approved collaboration on joint funding applications to international organisations, as well as exploration of trilateral cooperation with other countries to expand the scope of the programme.
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Zimbabwe, particularly in high-transmission districts.
