Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu in Umzingwane
Zimbabwe will maintain uninterrupted access to HIV medicines for the next 10 months, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed yesterday.
The minister gave the assurance during the International Candlelight Memorial at Mzingwane High School in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, ahead of today’s World Aids Day commemorations.
“Let me assure you. The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Health and the National Aids Council (NAC), have come together to make sure these services will continue. When there was an announcement that the US government had cut its funding, there was anxiety among those on Antiretroviral (ART) programmes,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said: “But I want to reassure you that we have stocks of every line of drug, with not less than 10 months’ supply. So, we have already started the procurement process to make sure that at every stage we have four months’ stock. There is no need for anyone to panic. Relax,” he assured.
He said the International Candlelight Memorial is not only a moment of remembering but also a moment of reflection, unity, and renewed commitment. “We gather to honour the lives we have lost, to support those who continue to live courageously with HIV, and to reaffirm our sheer determination to end HIV as a public health threat in Zimbabwe. The International Aids Candlelight Memorial is one of the oldest and most meaningful grassroots mobilisation events in the world. Its theme reminds us that the HIV response is not merely about programmes, policies, or statistics. It is about people. It is about communities,” he said.
He confirmed that the ministry stands in solidarity with people living with HIV, recognising that the Government’s responsibility is not only technical but also a moral one. Over the years, he said, the role of communities has become essential to the ministry’s work.
“We recognise that communities are above peripheral actors; they are the heart of the HIV response. From village health workers to treatment supporters, from community advocates to the peer educators, their leadership and lived experiences guide us. The ministry values these voices of People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and continues to ensure these voices are heard at every level of policy formulation, programme design, and implementation,” he added.
Dr Mombeshora said this commitment has been demonstrated through the meaningful involvement of communities in national consultations, monitoring efforts, and government structures such as country co-ordination mechanisms. He said their role is indispensable, as the ministry acknowledged and celebrated it during the candlelight memorial.
He also spoke of the medical advancements the country has made around HIV. “Allow me to reflect on the tremendous advancements our country has made over the past decades.
Zimbabwe has emerged as a model of resilience and innovation in the HIV response. Today, we are proud to report that we have achieved and surpassed the UNAids 95-95-95 targets at a national level thanks to the combined efforts of the Ministry, communities, and partners.
Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV has dramatically declined, placing us firmly on the path towards elimination,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said Zimbabwe has also expanded access to viral load testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), differentiated service delivery models, and community-led service delivery.
He said the country continues to strengthen prevention strategies, including HIV testing innovations, expanded condom programming, and target intervention strategies for young people and key and vulnerable populations.
He said these milestones are a testament to what becomes possible when a nation commits itself wholeheartedly to public health, dignity, and human rights. He said the ministry acknowledges the leadership of the National Aids Council, and the support and bravery of partners.
