Zim HIV intervention gains under threat

By Vanessa Gonye | Jan. 29, 2025 | 2 Min read

Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Timeos Kwidini

THERE is widespread concern that Zimbabwe’s earlier successes in the fight against tuberculosis and HIV might regress following the freezing of aid by Washington to countries supported by USAid across the globe including to the World Health Organisation.

Zimbabwe's health sector programmes and other interventions are heavily reliant on foreign aid, particularly from the US.

United States President Donald Trump recently instructed organisations in other countries to stop disbursing HIV medication purchased through USAid.

Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Timeos Kwidini said withdrawal of funding was a wake-up call for government to increase domestic funding to save lives.

“The future is now on domestic funding and as such there is a need to revisit the budgetary allocation for the health sector. No programmes will stop as we have our own way to domestically fund," Kwidini told NewsDay.

“We should now look into those areas that are being stopped and keep them running."

National Aids Council chief executive officer, Bernard Madzima, said government must move with urgency to fill the funding gap.

“Now with the changes which might happen following what is happening in the United States, it has become more imperative now to not only discuss but also to start implementing programmes which raise domestic resources so that we take care of our own programmes and have health commodities, health service delivery being funded by local resources," Madzima said.

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“The HIV, the health sustainability roadmap, should be implemented, otherwise we will regress as far as the gains of the HIV programme in particular and health in general is concerned."

Approximately 1,2 million people are on HIV treatment in Zimbabwe and around 90% of HIV-positive pregnant women receive antiretrovirals, which means many babies will be born HIV positive if these mothers stop taking their medication.

On Monday, United Nations secretary-general António Guterres expressed concern over Washington's funding cuts saying the move could have devastating effects on vulnerable communities worldwide.

In a statement, Guterres emphasised the crucial role US aid plays in supporting critical developmental and humanitarian activities, particularly in the developing world.

He urged Washington to consider exemptions to ensure the continued delivery of essential assistance, stressing that the lives and livelihoods of millions depend on this support.

Guterres pledged to engage the US administration to shape a strategic path forward and provide the much-needed development support.