Online Reporter
Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with the Global Fund as the country moves to safeguard key health gains in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the newly appointed Global Fund Senior Fund Portfolio Manager for Zimbabwe, Dr Enkhjin Bavuu, recently, Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze, said the country values early engagement with the Fund’s new leadership to ensure continuity and sustained impact of life-saving programmes.
Dr Bavuu replaces Ms Tatjana Peterson, the recently retired longest-serving Zimbabwe Global Fund country lead, whose tenure spanned several funding cycles and major public health milestones.
Dr Maunganidze described the meeting as the beginning of what the Government hopes will be a close and constructive working relationship anchored on transparency, results and shared goals.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care and to congratulate you on your appointment. We value this opportunity to engage with you early in your tenure and look forward to a close and constructive working relationship,” he said.
The Global Fund has for years been one of Zimbabwe’s major health financing partners, supporting programmes targeting HIV, TB and malaria, while also strengthening broader health systems such as laboratories, community health services, supply chains and the health workforce.
Through this support, Zimbabwe has expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, improved tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment and scaled up malaria prevention measures, including indoor residual spraying and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.
Dr Maunganidze said these interventions had translated into measurable public health gains that the Government was determined to protect.
“Zimbabwe greatly values its long-standing partnership with the Global Fund, which has been central to our response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and to strengthening critical components of our health system. Together, we have achieved important and measurable gains and the Government remains fully committed to safeguarding and building on these achievements,” he added.
The courtesy call came at a time when the Ministry is reviewing its internal structures to improve efficiency, coordination and sustainability of programmes, including those supported by development partners.
Dr Maunganidze said the ongoing discussions around a new organisational structure should not be misconstrued as a step back from progress made under Global Fund support.
Instead, he said, the reforms were meant to consolidate gains and better integrate externally funded initiatives into national systems.
“As you may be aware, the Ministry is currently engaged in discussions around a new organisational structure aimed at improving efficiency, coordination and long-term sustainability. These discussions are being undertaken carefully and in close consultation with key stakeholders. There is no intention to regress on the progress achieved through Global Fund support,” Dr Maunganidze said.
He added that the Ministry was working to ensure that Global Fund-supported staff and functions were properly accommodated within the evolving structure to preserve institutional memory and technical expertise.
Dr Maunganidze noted that Zimbabwe sees the current transition as an opportunity to embed successful Global Fund-supported approaches more firmly within national systems.
“We see this transition as an opportunity to further embed successful programme approaches within national systems, in line with our shared commitment to country ownership and sustainability,” he said.
Dr Maunganidze expressed confidence that Dr Bavuu’s leadership would help maintain the momentum and deepen collaboration between Zimbabwe and the Global Fund.
“We look forward to your support and continued dialogue as we navigate this process together. We remain committed to transparency, partnership and results, and to ensuring that Global Fund investments continue to deliver maximum impact for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Dr Maunganidze said the meeting signalled continuity in the partnership at a time when Zimbabwe, like many countries, was under pressure to maximise limited health resources while responding to persistent disease burdens and emerging public health threats.
