The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care is grappling with a significant financial shortfall in its HIV programs following the withdrawal of substantial donor funding, primarily from the United States. This development has prompted the ministry to seek a supplementary budget from the Treasury to sustain its national HIV response efforts.
Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, highlighted the severity of the situation while addressing the Joint Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care and the Thematic Committee on HIV and AIDS. He explained that the withdrawal of US funding, coupled with a general decline in donor contributions, has disrupted Zimbabwe’s healthcare financing, particularly in HIV programming.
Impact of US Funding Withdrawal
The Trump administration’s decision to reduce global health funding by 85% earlier this year has severely impacted several nations, including Zimbabwe. The US had been a key contributor to Zimbabwe’s HIV efforts through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and its significant contributions to the Global Fund.
“The US government contributes 30% of the Global Fund, which supports HIV, TB, and malaria interventions. The sudden withdrawal has had significant consequences for our healthcare services,” Dr. Maunganidze stated.
Dr. Maunganidze emphasized that the withdrawal has forced the ministry to rethink its funding strategies, including appealing for a supplementary budget to bridge the gap left by the US and other fatigued donors.
Domestic and International Funding Strategies
In response to the funding crisis, Zimbabwe has been leveraging domestic resources, including the national budget and the Health Levy—a 5% tax on mobile data and airtime. Additionally, specific taxes like the Health Sugar Levy have been introduced to bolster the HIV response.
On the international front, Zimbabwe continues to receive support from the Global Fund, the Health Development Fund, and philanthropic entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The ministry also collaborates with the United Nations to adhere to UNAIDS’ Fast-Track commitments aimed at enhancing HIV responses by 2026.
“In general, partners contribute between 50% and 65% of funding for our HIV response. Development partners have contributed between 35% and 45% of the overall health budget, and in some years, even beyond 50%,” Dr. Maunganidze noted.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The government has responded to the funding withdrawal by intensifying efforts to mobilize domestic resources and strategizing to boost local HIV drug production. Despite these efforts, the situation remains precarious, with over 5,000 HIV-related deaths recorded since January, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment in HIV financing.
“I must say we are okay on HIV funding until at least January 20, 2026. However, we must ensure that our local revenue streams support a sustained HIV response to maintain our gains, particularly on the 95-95-95 UN targets, which we have already achieved,” Dr. Maunganidze affirmed.
The announcement of the US funding withdrawal on January 20, 2025, has led to a strategic shift in Zimbabwe’s approach to healthcare financing. The government announced on May 15, 2025, plans to enhance domestic resource mobilization and laid out a roadmap for local HIV drug production.
As Zimbabwe navigates this challenging landscape, the Ministry of Health and Child Care remains committed to sustaining its HIV response, albeit under increasingly difficult circumstances. The coming months will be critical as the country seeks to secure the necessary funding to continue its fight against HIV and related health challenges.
