The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in collaboration with the University of Bern, has launched a three-year Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Prevention Study, focusing on children aged five to 16 years across 12 selected schools in Lusaka District.

The project, titled Effectiveness of an Integrated Programme for the Prevention of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Endemic Regions, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based programme in preventing RHD in areas with a high prevalence of the disease.

Speaking during the launch, Lusaka District Education Board Secretary’s Office representative Mr Emmanuel Daka described the Prevent Study as a significant milestone in integrating health and education in Zambia.

Mr Daka emphasised the potential impact of the study’s findings on future policy decisions for learners across Zambia. “This study is not just about preventing a disease, it is about shaping a future where our children thrive in both health and education. As the Ministry of Education, we look forward to having the study’s findings shared by CIDRZ,” he said.

CIDRZ Prevent Study Principal Investigator, Dr Guy Muula, said the programme aligns perfectly with CIDRZ’s vision of promoting a healthy Zambia through research and impactful programmes.

He thanked the Ministry of Education, Libala Primary School, Healthy Learners, and other collaborating institutions for their support, calling the study a vital step toward a healthier future for learners.

And Libala Primary School Headteacher Mrs Kapembwa Glyniss Mutepuka expressed gratitude for selecting her school to participate in the study.

As part of the launch, a team of experts from Switzerland, including Dr Thomas Pilgrim, Cardiologist and Head of the Department at the University of Bern, and Dr Daryoush Samim, Chief Resident in Cardiology, along with specialists from the University Teaching Hospital’s Internal Medicine Department, conducted echocardiography on learners to assess their heart health, which forms a cornerstone of the study.