Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
GOVERNMENT has assured patients in Mutare that HIV treatment and care will continue uninterrupted despite the closure of the New Start Centre with health authorities confirmed that all public health facilities, including Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and city clinics, have sufficient stocks of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to accommodate patients affected by the closure.
This comes after the sudden closure of the New Start Centre in Mutare left thousands of people relying on the facility stranded, with some desperate patients arriving at its gates, only to find them locked.
Among those affected are young people, particularly sex workers and individuals living with HIV, who depended on the centre for services such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) refills and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
The closure follows the cessation of USAID funding due to the implementation of US President, Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, which saw the withdrawal of financial support for numerous health programmes globally.
The Population Solutions for Health (PSH) New Start Centre in the city is one of the casualties, and with it, access to crucial services such as HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment, STI screening, tuberculosis care, family planning, and mental health support have been cut off.
When The Manica Post visited the centre, a couple of distressed individuals stood at the locked gate, hoping to refill their ART prescriptions.
They expressed worry that alternative health facilities will not be able to absorb the additional burden, leading to treatment interruptions, increased stigma, and ultimately, a rise in new infections.
Among them was a woman, who requested anonymity, but agreed to speak about her predicament.
“I have been getting my ART medication here for years. It is convenient, discreet, and the staff were always supportive. Today, I came to collect my refill, only to find the doors shut. Where am I supposed to go now? I am shocked to hear that it was closed last January 2025,” she said.
She said the notice pinned to the entrance, directed patients to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital or Mutare City clinics, which did little to reassure her, as those facilities are already overwhelmed.
“Going to VCPH is not an option for some of us. The queues do not offer us any privacy. No one wants to be seen standing in line for ART. This place was safe, non-judgmental, and easily accessible,” she said.
The notice at the closed centre’s gates reads: “Notice to our valued recipients of care: We are kindly informing you that the site is temporarily closed. We will advise you as soon as we are open. For resupplies and other services, we advise you to go to VCPH (Centre of Excellence room), Mutare City health clinics or any other clinic of your choice. Sincere apologies for the inconveniences caused,” states the notice.
A security guard posted at the offices confirmed that the offices were closed in January.
“The clinic is closed. We are currently not offering any services,” said the security guard.
The closure of the centre is expected to have dire consequences, especially for vulnerable groups, according to SRHR health experts.
Action for Youth Foundation Trust director, Mr Marvin Musekiwa, whose organisation works closely with youthful sex workers and young people, said over 15 000 youths aged 15 to 24 are at risk due to the disruption of services.
“In Zimbabwe, over 15 000 young people aged between 15 and 24, many of whom are engaged in sex work, rely on PrEP to protect themselves against HIV. The closure of facilities like the New Start Centre threatens to undo the progress made in reducing new infections. These individuals are already vulnerable due to economic and social factors, and this setback will only push them further into danger,” he said.
Mr Musekiwa added that sex workers face unique challenges, including stigma and lack of financial stability, making it difficult for them to seek alternative healthcare options.In an interview however, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga moved to allay fears of treatment disruptions in the province, assuring patients that Government has sufficient stocks of ARV drugs and mechanisms in place to absorb clients affected by the closure of donor-funded facilities.
He said people living with HIV in the province should not panic, stressing that ART services remain fully operational at all public health institutions across the province.
“Patients should not worry at all. There are adequate ARVs in all Government health facilities, and no one will miss their medication because of this development. Government has made deliberate investments to ensure continuity of HIV treatment and care, even in the face of funding challenges. Facilities such as Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and Mutare City clinics are prepared to accommodate additional clients, and systems are in place to ensure confidentiality and continuity of care,” said Dr Mukuzunga.
He said while partners have played a significant role, Government has always had a clear plan to safeguard essential services.
“No patient will be turned away, and no one should default because of fear or misinformation,” he said, urging affected clients to report to their nearest public health facility for uninterrupted treatment and support.
Government has acknowledged the funding gap left by the withdrawal of US financial aid and has vowed to take action.
Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, last week said efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of the funding loss.
“The biggest funder of HIV programmes in Zimbabwe has been PEPFAR, which operates under the White House. Any suspension of aid, even temporarily, has a serious impact on our fight against HIV and AIDS.
However, we have countermeasures in place. The fast-food tax, sugar content tax, and other revenue-generating initiatives will help support the health sector,” he said.
A report by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in collaboration with the National Aids Council and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), titled: “Towards Ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030,” revealed that approximately 1,3 million people in Zimbabwe were living with HIV in 2022, with adults making up 94 percent of those affected.
Online Reporter