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Government plans to activate a wide-ranging social health insurance scheme to mobilise domestic resources for the HIV response and beyond to protect communities from catastrophic health costs.
The scheme will include more domestic contributions to essential programmes such as community health. Zimbabwe remains one of the countries worst affected by the HIV pandemic, with an estimated population of 15 million with an HIV prevalence rate estimated at 12 percent.
From those, there are approximately 1.3 million persons living with HIV, with 1.2 million receiving ARVs.
The Government acknowledges the support of the US’ PEPFAR initiative through USAID and the US CDC which, via programmes such as Going the Last Mile for HIV Control and Preventing HIV Sustained Epidemic Control (PREVENT), have helped more than two million Zimbabweans.
PREVENT is a five-year, US$87.5 million activity designed to support the Ministry in sustaining HIV epidemic control with a focus on serving those most at risk of acquiring HIV and those least likely to seek health and HIV prevention care and treatment services in traditional settings.
Ministry of Health and Child Care chief director, human resources, Dr Simon Nyadundu, said:
“According to UNAIDS, Zimbabwe together with countries like Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda and Tanzania have achieved the 95-95-95 fast track targets.
“This would not have been possible without a harmonised multi-sectoral response and the collective efforts of our development partners.”
Dr Nyadundu said they were committed to sustaining the gains, and this requires a nuanced and evidence-based approach to reach underserved pockets in all communities in line with the Government’s vision to leave no place and one behind.
“We seek to shift from vertical funding for health specific areas to a more horizontal response to make access easier, and to serve Zimbabweans more holistically.
“The Ministry will continue to promote healthy life choices to reduce disease burden for Zimbabweans and burden on the health system and our health workforce.
“The Government acknowledges the support of PEPFAR through USAID and the US CDC which has greatly contributed through programmes like Going the Last Mile for HIV Control and PREVENT to over 2 million Zimbabwean men and boys receiving essential voluntary medical male circumcision services.”
PREVENT chief of party, Dr Blessing Mutede, said the programme will also tackle the drug and substance abuse issue.
“Recognising the growing challenge of drug and substance use, PREVENT will expand support for people to use and inject drugs in a harm reduction approach,” Dr Mutede said.
“Operating in 22 districts, the programme seeks to meet these communities where they are and to co-create solutions that remove barriers to accessing life-saving HIV prevention care and treatment services, including barriers such as stigma and discrimination.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter