Rotary Launches US$ 5 Million Initiative to Improve Childhood Health in Northern and Central Zambia
‘Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge’ will target Malaria, Pneumonia, and Diarrheal Diseases by Strengthening Community Health Systems
LUSAKA, Zambia (Oct. 9, 2024) — As malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases remain major contributors to illness and mortality among children under five in Zambia, Rotary International, in partnership with the Gates Foundation and World Vision, is working to reduce this disease burden and enhance health services in the country.
As part of the broader ‘Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge’, the $5 million Zambia program will address the specific health needs of rural and peri-urban communities in the Northern and Central Provinces by training and deploying over 2,000 community health workers. These workers will be equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage cases of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, significantly reducing childhood mortality in these regions.
“Our goal is to empower communities by strengthening their health systems, ensuring that every child in Zambia has access to life-saving care,” said Larry Mapani, Zambia Country Committee Lead and member of the Rotary Club of Kitwe. “This program not only addresses urgent health challenges but also lays the groundwork for a healthier future, where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Over the next three years, Rotary members will collaborate with local partners and communities to enhance health systems, reaching an estimated 1 million people. The program will also promote health-seeking behaviors through community engagement and awareness campaigns, while emphasizing data quality and accessibility by providing training in data collection and management for timely and accurate health reporting.
“Community health workers are the heart of a resilient health system. Empowering them with the right tools and information can transform lives.” said Abigail Pratt, Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “This next phase of our partnership with World Vision and Rotary International will help ensure these dedicated individuals have the resources they need to protect children and build healthier communities in Zambia.”
The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge is a multi-country initiative to strengthen community health systems and reduce childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases, the program aims to create sustainable health improvements in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia. The initiative builds on the success of Rotary's Programs of Scale ‘Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia,’ which made significant strides in reducing malaria incidence in targeted districts.
“World Vision Zambia is proud to collaborate with visionary partners like Rotary and the Gates Foundation, whose unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes in rural communities aligns perfectly with our mission to uplift the most vulnerable children,” said Marc Nosbach, National Director for World Vision Zambia. “This US$ 5 million initiative marks a significant milestone in our shared fight against childhood health challenges. It demonstrates the power of united values and collective dedication to creating sustainable, lasting change for those most in need.”
Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.
About Rotary:
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.
About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit worldvision.org or follow on the social platform X, @WorldVisionUSA.
About the Gates Foundation:
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. For more information, visit GatesFoundation.org.
CONTACT:
Rotary: Claudia Brunner, +41-44-387-7116, claudia.brunner@rotary.org
World Vision: Nicole Harris, +1-404-735-0871, nharris@worldvision.org
Gates Foundation : +1-206-709-3400, media@gatesfoundation.org