Source: Govt moves to secure next phase of HIV funding – herald
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
THE Government is actively engaged in discussions with the United States regarding a new five-year funding agreement aimed at sustaining the country’s response to HIV, while efforts are underway to support a gradual transition to domestic financing.
This dialogue comes at a crucial juncture, as donor support has been steadily declining, and the Government, together with the National Aids Council (NAC) and development partners, are working to ensure Zimbabwe does not lose momentum in its fight against HIV.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NAC 2026-2030 strategic planning workshop in Mutare on Friday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that discussions were held last week with the US Embassy and Treasury.
Central to these negotiations is the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU), which would secure vital financial backing for HIV programmes starting in April 2026.
“We had meetings yesterday (last Thursday) with the Minister of Finance and the US Embassy to look at the proposed memorandum of understanding, which, if signed, will provide us with funds for the next five years,” he said.
“The support will be tailored down so that in the fifth year, there will be zero funds, while we scale up our domestic resources to cover that gap.”
The talks come at a critical moment, following recent changes to the United States’ HIV assistance model.
Recently, the US Department of State, through PEPFAR, unveiled a US$65,1 million Bridge Plan for Zimbabwe to run over six months, with renewal dependent on the Government meeting new funding requirements.
Under the plan, PEPFAR will continue supporting antiretroviral therapy (ART) and procurement of essential HIV commodities, but funding for programmes such as voluntary medical male circumcision and condoms is excluded.
Zimbabwe will only qualify for the next round of funding after meeting jointly agreed performance benchmarks.
Dr Mombeshora said Zimbabwe remained determined to maintain the gains made towards achieving the 95-95-95 global HIV targets.
“As you know, we have faced challenges in terms of funding for most of our programmes, including HIV, TB and malaria,” he said.
“We want to maintain our 95-95-95 achievements, and any financing disruption can reverse those gains.”
The 95-95-95 target is a global goal set by UNAIDS to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, which aims for 95 percent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed to be on sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of those on ART to have viral suppression.
Zimbabwe and Eswatini, among others, have achieved this target well ahead of the deadline through comprehensive prevention and treatment programmes.
Dr Mombeshora said the Government had already identified potential domestic financing streams, including sin taxes, which, once ring-fenced, could sustainably support health programmes.
“We have mobilised Parliament to support us. We have had discussions with Treasury to make sure that those identified funds are ring-fenced so that we don’t have any shortcomings in terms of funding our HIV programmes,” he said.
Presently, Zimbabwe has adequate HIV treatment commodities until mid-2026, and procurement planning has already begun to ensure uninterrupted supply beyond next year.
Dr Mombeshora said the National Health Insurance, expected to be operational by mid-2026, would also expand universal access and provide a reliable domestic funding base.
Addressing the National AIDS Council (NAC) board and management, the minister reiterated the need to produce a robust, time-conscious strategy aligned to the National Development Strategy 2 and the Government’s push towards ending AIDS by 2030.
“The departure of key funding partners will require the National Aids Council to step in to cover gaps in areas such as condoms and HIV prevention interventions,” he said.
“Your efforts must reflect the mandate placed on your shoulders and be accountable to the people of Zimbabwe.”
NAC has been commended for achieving the 95-95-95 targets and for the progress made in corporate governance.
Dr Mombeshora said the proposed US-Zimbabwe MoU, combined with domestic resource mobilisation and national health insurance, could provide a stable financing pathway.
“It’s a good plan if it works out well. We will be tailing down external support and scaling up domestic resources to make sure our programmes don’t slide backwards,” he said.
NAC board chairperson Mrs Nester Mukwehwa said the council was finalising its five-year strategic plan, while strengthening partnerships and resource mobilisation mechanisms.
“We take note that this is a critical area where we must work to mobilise resources using inward-looking financing so that we keep our programmes running uninterrupted,” she said.
“We have developed minimum packages for the response and are closing the gaps created by the departure of some donors.”
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