Muchinga Provincial Administration has called for heightened community ownership and systemic accountability to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination, underscoring the critical role of grassroots data in shaping national health strategy.
The call was made by the Provincial Permanent Secretary, Reverend Mathews Chilekwa, during his opening address at the Second Malaria Provincial Dissemination Meeting held in Chinsali. The meeting convened key stakeholders to review the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project, a flagship initiative supporting the Zambia National Malaria Strategic Plan (2022-2026).
In his remarks, Rev. Chilekwa framed the CLM project as a cornerstone of the national elimination agenda. “This initiative significantly contributes to the achievement of the goals set out in the National Malaria Strategic Plan,” he stated, emphasizing its design to strengthen service delivery by “enhancing community engagement, improving service quality, and promoting transparency and accountability across the health system.”
Funded by The Global Fund for the 2024-2026 period, the CLM project is implemented nationwide across 51 districts in all 10 provinces. In Muchinga, the project is active in Lavushimanda, Kanchibiya, Mpika, Chinsali, Isoka, and Nakonde districts, covering 30 health facilities. Implementation is led by a consortium comprising Project Concern Zambia (PCZ), Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), and the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ).
Rev. Chilekwa outlined five core objectives for the dissemination meeting:
1. To review progress on previous provincial action plans.
2. To identify gaps and barriers in malaria service delivery from community and district findings.
3. To provide actionable feedback to improve service quality.
4. To strengthen community participation and ownership in the malaria response.
5. To enhance accountability among service providers and partners.
He highlighted the transformative potential of the discussions, stating that expected outcomes include “improved access to and quality of malaria services, strengthened evidence-based advocacy, and more inclusive health planning informed by community-generated data not only at the provincial level, but for the country as a whole.”
The Permanent Secretary particularly appreciated the collaborative effort, stating, “I appreciate Project Concern Zambia-PCZ and its partners for their continued support to Government efforts.” He concluded by encouraging robust dialogue, urging active participation from all attendees as the province and nation work collectively towards the goal of a malaria-free Zambia.
The meeting brings together district health officials, community monitors, traditional leaders, the Media and implementing partners, serving as a vital feedback loop to translate on-the-ground experiences into improved policy and practice.
