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Malnutrition medicine shortages hit Mashonaland West
1 hr ago |
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Mashonaland West Province is facing a critical shortage of frontline malaria medication and therapeutic nutritional feeds as a worsening outbreak claims five lives and pushes malaria cases to 1,203 since January 2026.
An internal memorandum dated February 9, 2026, from Celestino Dhege revealed the province has run out of Artemether/Lumefantrine 20mg/120mg blister packs, the standard treatment for uncomplicated malaria in children weighing 5kg to 25kg.
"The province is currently experiencing shortages of Artemether/Lumefantrine 20mg/120mg blister packs of 12 tablets and 16 tablets, which are used in the management of uncomplicated malaria in patients weighing 5kg to 25kg," Dhege wrote. Health facilities have been instructed to temporarily use 24-tablet adult blister packs, strictly following dosing guidelines.
The memorandum also confirmed shortages of F75 and F100 therapeutic feeds, essential nutritional formulations for managing complicated severe acute malnutrition. Hospitals have been directed to locally prepare therapeutic feeds using available ingredients under supervision from nutritionists and dietitians, while clinicians prescribe multivitamins to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies during the interim.
The shortages, worsened by funding shortfalls following the withdrawal of support by the United States government, threaten gains Zimbabwe has made against malaria over the last two decades, according to Itai Rusike.
Health experts have warned that the lack of both malaria treatment and therapeutic feeds could increase vulnerability among children and other at-risk populations, given the known link between malnutrition and severe malaria outcomes.
Health ministry spokesperson Donald Mujiri said the ministry will issue an official statement on the magnitude of the shortages, but has not provided further details.
The crisis has prompted urgent calls for swift intervention to ensure continuity of care and prevent further fatalities.
An internal memorandum dated February 9, 2026, from Celestino Dhege revealed the province has run out of Artemether/Lumefantrine 20mg/120mg blister packs, the standard treatment for uncomplicated malaria in children weighing 5kg to 25kg.
"The province is currently experiencing shortages of Artemether/Lumefantrine 20mg/120mg blister packs of 12 tablets and 16 tablets, which are used in the management of uncomplicated malaria in patients weighing 5kg to 25kg," Dhege wrote. Health facilities have been instructed to temporarily use 24-tablet adult blister packs, strictly following dosing guidelines.
The memorandum also confirmed shortages of F75 and F100 therapeutic feeds, essential nutritional formulations for managing complicated severe acute malnutrition. Hospitals have been directed to locally prepare therapeutic feeds using available ingredients under supervision from nutritionists and dietitians, while clinicians prescribe multivitamins to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies during the interim.
The shortages, worsened by funding shortfalls following the withdrawal of support by the United States government, threaten gains Zimbabwe has made against malaria over the last two decades, according to Itai Rusike.
Health experts have warned that the lack of both malaria treatment and therapeutic feeds could increase vulnerability among children and other at-risk populations, given the known link between malnutrition and severe malaria outcomes.
Health ministry spokesperson Donald Mujiri said the ministry will issue an official statement on the magnitude of the shortages, but has not provided further details.
The crisis has prompted urgent calls for swift intervention to ensure continuity of care and prevent further fatalities.
Source - newsday
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