The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), through the Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN), conducted a technical mission to Zimbabwe from 7–11 July 2025. This mission, carried out in collaboration with the pharmaceutical donor Merck and the WHO Country Office in Zimbabwe, focused on strengthening national supply chain systems for the management of Praziquantel (PZQ), a critical medicine used to treat and eliminate schistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzia.
Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health challenge in Zimbabwe and much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting more than a billion people globally, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. In the WHO African Region, 45 out of 47 countries require preventive chemotherapy for NTD control. Despite ongoing drug donations by partners such as Merck, the efficient use of medicines like Praziquantel continues to face hurdles, including unaccounted stock, expiration risks, and delays in treatment reporting.
The mission used interviews, field visits, and document reviews to evaluate how PZQ is managed from central warehouses to remote health facilities. One major issue identified was the inconsistency in data management. While central supply systems are largely digitized for better tracking and reporting, many rural facilities still rely on manual data entry, leading to reporting delays and limited visibility on stock levels.
Despite these challenges, Zimbabwe’s supply chain showed several strengths. Coordination between the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NATPHARM) has resulted in clear and effective procedures, particularly for handling expired medicines. This collaboration has helped maintain operational efficiency and accountability.
Officials stressed the importance of accurate, timely data and strong accountability systems to improve stock visibility and guide future drug donations. With Praziquantel’s short shelf life, proper handling and efficient distribution are essential to avoid wastage and ensure that communities in need receive timely treatment.
The findings from this mission will be used to create tailored recommendations to enhance Zimbabwe’s medicine supply chain and reporting systems. These insights will also support regional strategies, benefiting other countries facing similar logistical and management challenges in the fight against NTDs.
