NHRTI investigates prevention, diagnosis and treatment across infectious diseases, connecting clinical trials with laboratory science and community research.
From the mosquito to the patient.
Long-term work in Nchelenge and peri-urban Ndola examines why malaria transmission persists, how mosquitoes behave and resist insecticides, and how prevention and treatment approaches perform.
Clinical studies also explore severe malaria, pregnancy, treatment in young children and vaccination.
Understand transmission
Study mosquitoes, parasites, household exposure and patterns of infection.
Study prevention
Evaluate vector-control tools, approaches in pregnancy and malaria vaccination.
Investigate treatment
Research treatment approaches and the biology of severe malaria.
Explore the malaria studies
Each study addresses a specific scientific question. Open a study name to read its focus.
PharCide
Comparison of two artemisinin-based combination therapies in children under five, including effects on the transmissible parasite stage and protection after treatment.
CALINA
Research on a dispersible artemether-lumefantrine formulation for newborns and infants weighing under 5 kg.
KALUMA
Comparison of a new fixed-dose antimalarial combination with standard treatment, including an extension for repeated treatment.
SEVUSMART
Safety and dose-finding research on an adjunctive therapy for severe malaria in children.
SMAART and SMAART-MAP
Multicountry research on severe malaria in hospitalised children and a continuing adaptive platform trial.
CHASM
Genomic and molecular investigation of severe malaria and potential markers of poor outcomes.
SEMA ReACT
Research on treatment approaches in remote areas where onward referral is not possible.
IPTp-SP+ and Dragonfly
Research on malaria approaches at the first antenatal visit and a point-of-care molecular test in pregnancy.
MOVES
Investigation of the R21 malaria vaccine under real-world conditions in a setting with year-round transmission.
Transmission and vector research
ICEMR
A long-running programme spanning entomology, parasite genomics, epidemiology and community behaviour in Nchelenge and Ndola.
ZUMBA
Investigation of imported malaria and its contribution to local transmission in Ndola District.
Vectors and household exposure
Indoor residual spraying, biting behaviour, insecticide resistance, eave ribbons and factors behind unequal exposure.
Better ways to investigate TB.
Diagnostics research includes evaluation of a non-invasive breath test for TB triage in adults and children across six sites in Ndola District.
NHRTI’s TB reference laboratory also supports diagnosis, treatment monitoring and drug-resistance surveillance for Copperbelt, Luapula and North-Western provinces. That continuing service provides a foundation for research.
Reference laboratory servicesImmunisation
Find immunity gaps
School vaccination screening, measles sero-surveillance and missed opportunities for vaccination.
Learn from campaigns
Post-campaign coverage, seroprevalence and the potential value of rapid measles tests.
STIs & HIV
REACH
Integration of HPV vaccination for adolescent girls through established HIV clinic infrastructure.
Adolescent HIV outcomes
The Family Connections Study examines youth and caregiver support and viral suppression.
HIV prevention
Population-level analysis of male circumcision and HIV risk, alongside research with key populations.
Advancing the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases
At NHRTI, we combine laboratory science, surveillance, and community partnership to reduce the burden of neglected tropical diseases across Zambia and the region.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of conditions that persist among the poorest and most marginalised communities, where access to clean water, sanitation, and health services is limited. Though preventable and often treatable, NTDs cause lasting disability, stigma, and economic hardship, trapping affected households in cycles of poverty.
NHRTI’s NTD research programme works to close the gap between global commitments and local realities. Building on our long-standing strength in Malaria research, we apply rigorous laboratory science and field epidemiology to generate the evidence needed to detect, treat, and ultimately eliminate NTDs as public-health problems.
Our Focus Areas in NTD Research
Our research is organised around priority NTDs of regional importance and the cross-cutting systems that support their control across Zambia:
Schistosomiasis & Helminths
Soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis — mapping, treatment-response monitoring, and reinfection studies.
Vector-Borne NTDs
Vector-borne NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis and human African trypanosomiasis.
Diagnostics Innovation
Validating and deploying rapid, field-appropriate tests for low-resource settings.
One Health & Integrated Surveillance
Linking human, animal, and environmental data to strengthen early detection.
Research Themes
Diagnosis & Laboratory Science
Developing, validating, and standardising diagnostic methods — from microscopy and serology to molecular assays — for accurate, quality-assured NTD detection. The laboratory operates to ISO 15189 quality standards and serves as a national reference research laboratory.
Epidemiology & Disease Mapping
Describing where NTDs occur, who is most affected, and how transmission changes over time, informing targeted mass drug administration (MDA) and control campaigns.
Treatment & Clinical Research
Evaluating treatment outcomes, drug effectiveness, and patient-centred care models.
Health Systems & Delivery
Studying how to deliver NTD services effectively within existing health systems — including supply chains, referral pathways, and community engagement.
Capacity Building & Training
Training the next generation of scientists, laboratory professionals, and field researchers, strengthening national and regional capacity to sustain NTD programmes.
Laboratory and community research inform one another.
Explore the named projects and investigators behind selected areas of NHRTI’s research.
