Malaria Returns With a Vengeance: Zimbabwe’s Crisis Is Nigeria’s Warning

Zimbabwe is facing a severe resurgence of malaria in 2025, with health experts warning that the disease has returned “with a vengeance” following significant U.S. funding cuts.

So far this year, 115 malaria outbreaks have been recorded across the country, a dramatic increase from just one in 2024.

The surge follows a decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump in January to halt key health-related financial assistance, including funding for programs combating malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

The move has had devastating consequences, particularly for the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento) at Africa University in Mutare.

Zento, a cornerstone of the country’s fight against malaria, had been instrumental in supporting the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) through research and mosquito surveillance.

Data from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health paints a grim picture: malaria cases rose by 180% in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Deaths have surged by 218%, with fatalities climbing from 45 to 143.

By June 26, a total of 119,648 malaria cases and 334 deaths had been reported, an alarming sign of the toll the disease is taking across the nation.

The disruption in funding has not only affected research but also the availability of vital malaria control tools.

The distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, one of the most effective preventative measures, was severely interrupted.

While the health ministry has attempted to distribute 1.6 million nets, a shortfall of 600,000 remains due to the funding withdrawal, leaving hundreds of thousands vulnerable.

Public health experts are raising the alarm. Itai Rusike, director of Zimbabwe’s Community Working Group on Health, stressed that the country’s hard-won progress in malaria control is now in serious jeopardy.

“Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,” Rusike said.

“If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost.

“When the supply of test kits and treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will spiral.”

Children under five years old make up 14% of all malaria infections in 2025, further underscoring the human cost of the funding shortfall.

Zimbabwe had pledged to eliminate malaria by 2030, aligning with the African Union’s continent-wide target.

The strategy includes community education, indoor residual spraying, mosquito net distribution, and the strengthening of disease surveillance systems.

However, without consistent funding, these efforts are faltering.

Former Health Minister Dr. Henry Madzorera urged the government to take ownership of malaria elimination by effectively using existing resources.

“Zimbabwe has several taxes earmarked for healthcare.

:These must be used wisely for health promotion and disease prevention,” he said.

“We can’t rely solely on foreign donors. Our people need early diagnosis and prompt treatment.”

In 2024, USAID had contributed $270 million to Zimbabwe for health and agriculture programmes.

Following the abrupt cuts in 2025, Deputy Health Minister Sleiman Kwidini acknowledged the disruption in essential services.

“We are now taking over the procurement of mosquito nets after the U.S. withdrew its support,” Kwidini said.

“We’ve been temporarily set back, but we remain committed to eliminating malaria by 2030.”

Professor Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University’s Malaria Institute, said the funding crisis reversed nearly four years of progress.

The Zento programme, he noted, had dramatically reduced malaria cases in Manicaland province, from 145,775 in 2020 to just 8,035 in 2024.

However, after the funding cuts, cases skyrocketed to over 27,000 in 2025.

“The malaria came back with a vengeance,” Mharakurwa said.

“As soon as the programme was cut, cases that had been declining began to rebound, surpassing even the original levels when the project began.”

He added that above-average rainfall in 2025, which contributed to greater mosquito breeding and transmission, further compounded the crisis.

Despite the bleak outlook, experts remain hopeful that, with restored funding and political will, Zimbabwe can regain lost ground.

But without urgent action, the goal of eradicating malaria by 2030 is slipping further out of reach.

ANY LESSONS FOR NIGERIA

The situation in Zimbabwe serves as a serious cautionary tale for Nigeria and other African countries that are still battling malaria and rely heavily on foreign aid to sustain their health programs.

Here’s what it says for Nigeria, and how the country should plan to prevent a similar setback:

What Zimbabwe’s Crisis Signals for Nigeria

Overdependence on Foreign Aid Is Risky

Zimbabwe’s malaria resurgence after the abrupt U.S. aid cuts highlights the vulnerability of health systems that lean too heavily on donor funding.

Nigeria receives significant international support through organizations like the Global Fund, USAID, and WHO.

If any major donor withdraws or reduces funding, it could cripple key programs.

Health Gains Can Be Reversed Quickly

Zimbabwe made strong progress in reducing malaria cases, only for those gains to be wiped out within months of funding cuts.

Nigeria, which still ranks among the countries with the highest malaria burden globally, cannot afford such a reversal.

The disease already accounts for a high percentage of outpatient visits and child mortality.

Children and Pregnant Women Are Most at Risk

As seen in Zimbabwe, when preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and access to treatment are disrupted, the most vulnerable, particularly children under five and pregnant women, suffer the most.

Nigeria has similar demographic vulnerabilities, especially in rural and underserved areas.

How Nigeria Should Plan to Avoid a Similar Predicament

Increase Domestic Health Financing

Nigeria must move beyond donor dependency and increase domestic investment in its health sector.

The country still falls short of the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15% of the national budget to health.

A stronger financial commitment would improve resilience and autonomy.

Establish an Emergency Health Fund

A dedicated health emergency reserve could cushion key programs (like malaria control) during funding gaps or global disruptions.

This would allow for continuity in procurement of mosquito nets, antimalarial drugs, and diagnostics.

Strengthen Local Research and Surveillance Capacity

Zimbabwe’s Zento program showed how local research helped control malaria.

Nigeria must empower institutions like NIMR (Nigerian Institute of Medical Research) and universities to lead vector surveillance, data analysis, and rapid response initiatives—backed by long-term funding.

Build Health Systems That Can Withstand External Shocks

Rather than operating donor-dependent, vertical programs, Nigeria needs integrated, community-based systems that can sustain themselves.

For example, malaria interventions should be embedded within broader maternal and child health services.

Diversify Partnerships and Funding Sources

Relying too heavily on a single donor makes any country vulnerable.

Nigeria should broaden its partnerships, both public and private, domestically and internationally.

Public-private partnerships (PPP), diaspora health bonds, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding are viable alternatives.

Scale Up Local Production of Health Commodities

From mosquito nets to malaria drugs, Nigeria should invest in local manufacturing capacity.

This reduces reliance on international supply chains that can be disrupted due to geopolitical issues, pandemics, or funding withdrawals.

Prioritize Data Transparency and Accountability

Donors often reduce support when there are concerns about corruption or inefficiency.

Nigeria must ensure that health spending is transparent, accountable, and results-driven to build donor trust and public confidence in domestic spending.

Educate and Empower Communities

Behavioral change and grassroots involvement are key.

Community awareness campaigns, regular distribution of nets, and training of local health workers can keep malaria control efforts alive even during institutional disruptions.

Final Thought

Zimbabwe’s malaria resurgence is a warning, not just a tragedy.

For Nigeria, it’s a wake-up call to take full ownership of its malaria elimination goals.

While partnerships and donor support are still valuable, they must supplement, not substitute, national responsibility.

The path forward is clear: build a self-reliant, resilient, and well-funded health system that can withstand global shocks and stay on track to eliminate malaria by 2030.

Let me know if you’d like this in presentation format, bullet points for a report, or tailored to a policymaker audience.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook