Online Reporter
Health Reporter
THE Government is intensifying domestic resource mobilisation efforts to sustain HIV and Aids prevention programmes in light of reduced international funding, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, has said.
Speaking at the National Aids Council (NAC) 2024 Media Awards ceremony in Harare yesterday, in a speech read on his behalf by NAC board chairperson Mrs Nester Mukwewa, Dr Mombeshora stated that recent financial aid cuts by the United States government had exposed the vulnerability of Zimbabwe’s national HIV response, which has relied heavily on external support for years.
“The recent cuts in financial aid from the US government have exposed the vulnerability of our response, having depended on that aid for years. This calls for unity of purpose in strengthening domestic financing to ensure sustainability, which the Government is now rigorously pursuing,” he said.
The National Aids Council has proposed tapping into the informal sector to expand contributions to the National
Aids Trust Fund (Aids Levy). This initiative is aimed at increasing domestic funding for the country’s HIV response.
The Aids Levy, which is three percent of every worker’s taxable income, is collected monthly. In 2025, NAC expects to collect a total of US$75 million through this levy.
The Global Fund, a key international partner, has previously supported Zimbabwe’s HIV response with around US$500 million annually. NAC has also proposed exploring additional sources of domestic funding, including allocating a percentage of capital project budgets, such as road-widening initiatives, towards mitigating the social impacts associated with large construction projects.
They noted that such infrastructure projects often lead to the movement of people, which can heighten the risk of HIV transmission. Therefore, integrating preventative measures in these areas would be a cost-effective approach, as prevention is significantly cheaper than treatment.
The NAC Media Awards are held annually to recognise and honour journalists and media practitioners who demonstrate excellence in reporting on HIV and Aids.
Although the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) is administered by the US State Department, much of its implementation is carried out through USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both of which were affected by the aid suspension instituted by President Donald Trump following his return to office.
Dr Mombeshora commended the media for its continued role in raising public awareness and highlighting HIV and Aids-related issues.
“Your role in this is immense, galvanising national attention towards resource mobilisation. The media also plays a key part in addressing the anxiety experienced by people living with HIV,” he said.
He encouraged the media to continue working closely with the Government to promote early testing, prevention strategies among young people, combat stigma and discrimination, and enhance treatment coverage, particularly among children.
“Let us continue to work together with renewed vigour and determination to build a future where HIV is no longer a threat to public health, where every individual can live with dignity,” Dr Mombeshora said.
