Impact of COVID-19 on neglected tropical diseases in Zambia: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives
Infectious Diseases of Poverty·
- DOI
- 10.1186/s40249-026-01491-0
- PMID
- 42642746
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7204171649
- Study type
- Commentary
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The results emphasize the importance of predictable domestic funding, robust monitoring systems, and sustainable local partnerships to maintain endemic disease control during systemic crises.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
How did the coronavirus pandemic influence national neglected tropical disease initiatives, financial support, and collaborative arrangements in Zambia?
Study design
A qualitative case study employing semi-structured interviews with fourteen purposively recruited experts from governmental, academic, and international sectors.
Population and setting
National-level officials and specialists in Zambia engaged in disease policy, program implementation, and monitoring activities.
Main findings
Respondents indicated that emergency measures exacerbated longstanding deficits in health infrastructure, disease tracking, and budgetary stability, which delayed preventive medication campaigns. Financial shifts and reduced international involvement generated operational uncertainty, though domestic agencies and global partners preserved critical services. Participants also recognized concurrent institutional reforms and revised strategic documents as potential catalysts for stronger future preparedness.
Public-health relevance
The results emphasize the importance of predictable domestic funding, robust monitoring systems, and sustainable local partnerships to maintain endemic disease control during systemic crises.
Important limitations
The reliance on a limited number of purposively selected national experts inherently constrains the transferability of findings to broader populations or different geographic contexts.
GIDS interpretation
This report offers thematic context on how widespread health emergencies interact with chronic disease management structures, providing background information useful for understanding systemic vulnerabilities in comparable environments.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 14 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.