The annual performance evaluation meeting for malaria elimination is held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 5, 2026. Tanzania's Zanzibar has concluded its annual performance evaluation for malaria elimination, with Chinese expertise featured for the first time to help the archipelago refine its prevention and control strategies.(Photo: The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar has concluded its annual performance evaluation for malaria elimination, with Chinese expertise featured for the first time to help the archipelago refine its prevention and control strategies.

The meeting, held from Feb. 2 to 7, focused on assessing achievements in malaria elimination in 2025, formulating the 2026 work plan, and identifying priority areas for the next round of Global Fund malaria grant applications.

Addressing Zanzibar's practical needs, Liu Yaobao, a public health expert from the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, introduced China's successful strategies, including establishing multi-sector collaboration mechanisms, strengthening surveillance and rapid response systems, enhancing grassroots prevention and control capacity, and expanding health education.

Shija Joseph Shija, director of Zanzibar's Malaria Elimination Program, noted that China achieved nationwide malaria elimination in 2021, while Zanzibar is steadily advancing toward its 2030 elimination goal.

He added that Zanzibar is keen to learn from China's experience to further accelerate progress.

Liu is the first public health expert sent with the Chinese medical team to Zanzibar. Since his arrival in September 2025, he has worked closely with local health authorities, conducting assessments and establishing effective cooperation mechanisms.