Tabora, Tanzania – Today the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the Government of Tanzania in commemorating World Malaria Day. According to the 2022 Tanzania Malaria Indicator Survey, there has been an almost 50 percent decrease in the country’s malaria prevalence rate from 14 to eight percent nationwide.
Despite national gains in the fight to eradicate malaria, Tabora region maintains a high prevalence rate of 23 percent. To combat the high malaria prevalence rate in Tabora, US government staff representing USAID and CDC, joined the Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Godwin. O. Mollel, to launch additional support from the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The PMI Shinda Malaria (Defeat Malaria) project is a five-year national project that began in 2022 and is being implemented by Ifakara Health Institute. In Tabora, and other focused regions, the project will focus on malaria case management, integrated community case management, prevention of malaria during pregnancy, social and behavior change, monitoring and evaluation.
“The United States is committed to continuing the strong collaboration with the Government of Tanzania to eliminate malaria and improve the health and well-being of its citizens,” said USAID Project Management Specialist, Lulu Msangi. “PMI has helped save millions of lives and contributed to substantial gains in education, productivity, and economic development.
Maintaining the gains and ensuring sustainability of malaria programs hinges on the private sector and local partners leading the fight against malaria and other challenges. PMI relies on strong collaborations with local partners, including academic, faith-based, and private organizations.
The U.S. government began partnering with Tanzania through PMI in 2006 and has invested more than $747 million to combat malaria. This strong partnership has helped decrease child death rates by 40 percent and malaria morbidity by almost 50 percent, allowing many more children to go to school and pursue their dreams, and parents to remain healthy and able to work to feed their families. In partnership with local governments and development partners, PMI investments play an essential role in strengthening health care systems, focusing on frontline clinics, health centers, and community health platforms.
Tanzania has made important progress in the fight against malaria, said Hon. Dr. Godwin Mollel, Deputy Minister of Health: “malaria cases decreased by 55 percent from 2015 to 2023. While admission cases decreased by 62 percent, deaths related to malaria decreased by 71 percent over the same period.” Hon. Mwalimu commended the strong partnership with donors and stakeholders including PMI and private sector entities.
The United States remains deeply committed to continuing to partner with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, civil society organizations, and the people of Tanzania in the ongoing fight to eliminate malaria and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.
