Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
[email protected]
HIV and AIDS programming in Zimbabwe has been reprioritised to integrate other health conditions amid emerging health threats such as non-communicable diseases and drug and substance abuse.
Speaking recently at the World AIDS Day commemorations at Umzingwane High School in Matabeleland South, National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima highlighted the need to rethink and refocus HIV interventions in response to evolving challenges.
“This year’s theme captures the current environment as far as HIV programming is concerned. Over the past five years there have been disruptions to the response threatening the achievements of the past decade and threatening our targets of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
“During the Covid-19 period attention and resources were shifted from HIV to deal with the pandemic. We have emerging health threats like non communicable diseases, the issue of drug and substance abuse and this has meant that we have had to rethink, refocus and reprioritise and make sure that we integrate HIV in other health conditions but continue to make it an entry point into health services,” he said.
Dr Madzima also noted that severe funding cuts have forced the country to prioritise domestic resources and enhance resource mobilisation.
He added that the AIDS Levy, created by the Government, will help ensure Zimbabwe does not run out of essential drugs and other HIV-related resources, assuring that HIV programming will not be derailed.
This year’s World AIDS Day commemorations were held under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”.
In a recent address, President Mnangagwa said the 2025 World AIDS Day theme reflects the realities facing the country after Covid-19 disruptions and emerging threats from non-communicable diseases, climate-related emergencies, and outbreaks such as Mpox.
President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to increasing domestic financing for health to safeguard Zimbabwe’s hard-won gains in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
He stated that Zimbabwe’s progress in achieving and surpassing global HIV targets must be protected through stronger national investment in health systems.
The President also noted that despite a decline in global funding and emerging health challenges, Zimbabwe continues to shape a resilient, home-grown response.
The country surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 global targets and achieved epidemic control in 2022. Statistics show that 97 percent of people living with HIV know their status, over 95 percent are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy, and 96 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.
These achievements reflect the dedication of Zimbabwe’s leadership, the Second Republic, communities, and health workers working together. President Mnangagwa said the gains made so far assure the leadership that the nation is firmly on the path towards ending AIDS.
