Online Reporter
By Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE must increase domestic investment in tuberculosis programmes to sustain the gains made in fighting the disease, amid dwindling donor support that threatens critical health interventions, health authorities have said.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 National TB Conference in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said continued reliance on external support was no longer sustainable.
He urged the Government, the private sector and development partners to explore innovative financing models to close the funding gap.
“TB remains a serious public health challenge, and the shifting landscape of global health financing is creating uncertainty for critical programmes. Let us build on what is working, explore new ways of financing sustainable TB responses, and strengthen the partnerships that brought us this far,” he said.
He said while Zimbabwe had made notable progress in TB case detection, treatment and prevention, more resources were needed to accelerate progress towards ending the epidemic by 2030.
In 2024, the country recorded 20,189 TB cases, up from 19,545 in 2023, a rise attributed to intensified case-finding efforts and strengthened diagnostic capacity. Zimbabwe was removed from the World Health Organisation’s list of top 30 high-burden TB countries in 2021, though it remains on the list for countries facing the dual burden of HIV/TB and multi-drug resistant TB.
“That achievement was not accidental. It was earned through the dedication of our healthcare workers, the support of our partners, and the resilience of our communities. But as we celebrate progress, we must be honest about the road ahead,” Dr Mombeshora added.
He commended the National TB Programme for expanding access to modern diagnostic technologies, with 188 GeneXpert machines now operational across the country. Zimbabwe has also begun adopting AI-assisted digital X-rays and stool testing for childhood TB, innovations expected to improve early detection and diagnosis.
However, an estimated 15 000 TB cases were missed last year, meaning thousands remain undiagnosed and continue to spread the infection.
Dr Mombeshora said tackling TB required a shift towards person-centred care, calling for efforts to reduce stigma, financial hardship, and other barriers preventing people from seeking treatment.
“Our theme this year, ‘From Commitment to Action: Innovation, Sustainable Financing and Person-Centred Care to End TB’ should be a call to make sure our promises translate into real change. Commitment alone is no longer enough. Action, impact, and accountability must define the next phase of our journey,” he said.
Director, AIDS and TB Programmes, Dr Owen Mugurungi, said while progress was commendable, the reduction in global donor funding posed a direct threat to recent gains.
“We operate in a constrained environment. A recent stop-work order from a key partner halted critical activities like supportive supervision, DR-TB meetings, and external quality assurance for our laboratories. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable domestic financing and strong public-private partnerships,” he said.
He said the National Strategic Plan for TB sought to increase TB treatment coverage and success rates for drug-susceptible TB to over 90 percent, achieve universal HIV testing and ART coverage for TB patients, and strengthen the detection and treatment of drug-resistant TB.
“We must re-dedicate ourselves to the person behind the patient. That means addressing catastrophic costs, fighting stigma, and ensuring services are dignified and accessible to all,” he said.
National AIDS Council (NAC) Operations Director, Mr Raymond Yekeye, said the fight against TB and HIV must be sustained through coordinated strategies that reduce duplication and maximise impact.
“We have made significant progress in combating both HIV and TB, but the reality is that our programmes are still heavily donor-dependent. As we move towards developing a new national HIV strategy, there is an urgent need to align our TB and HIV responses to ensure joint planning, financing and implementation. These diseases are closely linked, and our response should reflect that integration,” he said.
He said sustainable financing and collaboration were now critical as donor transitions continue to reshape Zimbabwe’s health landscape.
The three-day National TB Conference has brought together Government Ministries, clinicians, TB survivors, researchers, civil society organisations and development partners to review progress and strengthen collaboration toward a TB-free Zimbabwe.
The sessions are expected to help shape the next phase of Zimbabwe’s TB response through innovation, sustainable financing, and collective action.
