Malaria is a leading cause of death for Tanzanian children as well as a major cause of maternal mortality. Under the President’s Malaria Initiative, USAID strives to reduce malaria by employing an integrated approach including: prevention through mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying; prevention of malaria in pregnancy; prompt diagnosis and correct treatment; strengthened malaria surveillance; improved human resources; and promotion of positive behaviors for malaria prevention.

With USAID support, Zanzibar has essentially halted malaria transmission, with prevalence at a mere 0.2 percent in children under five. On the mainland, the 2011/2012 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey showed that the number of households with at least one insecticide-treated net increased from 38 percent in 2007-08 to 91 percent in 2011-12. USAID also uses mass media to create awareness and encourage healthy behaviors, and has protected millions of Tanzanians annually since 2006 through indoor insecticide spraying.

Additionally USAID trains health workers to include malaria prevention during prenatal care, and focuses on improving their diagnostic and treatment skills. Working with Tanzanian public and private health centers around the country, USAID has helped distribute over 34 million courses of artemisinin combination therapies since 2006, a highly effective treatment that allows for shorter treatment courses and better protection against drug resistance.