Zimbabwe needs to hire about twenty thousand health staff after the US government cut its funding. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora announced plans for the Treasury to pay these workers instead of USAID. Many doctors, nurses, and village health helpers lost support when former President Trump signed an order stopping aid. These cuts hit programs fighting HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria across the country.
The health system counted on more than a thousand medical professionals to treat various infections. Almost nineteen thousand village health workers provided basic care in rural areas. Partner groups paid around fifteen thousand of these essential workers before the funding dried up. Mombeshora spoke about this challenge during a recent media meeting with government officials.
The Health Ministry already wanted to bring all medical staff under direct government control. They faced problems tracking workers hired through outside groups who sometimes disappeared from duty. Ministry leaders started talks last year about making everyone answer to them directly. Outside partners can still help with extra pay, but all staff must work for the government first.
Money managers are finding ways to cover everyone's salaries and even add more people to healthcare jobs. The government aims to have twice as many medical workers by 2030 as part of its long-term plan. Patients worried about HIV medicine can feel safe knowing supplies will last until June 2025. The minister promised nobody should fear treatment interruptions despite future shipments being canceled.
The health system counted on more than a thousand medical professionals to treat various infections. Almost nineteen thousand village health workers provided basic care in rural areas. Partner groups paid around fifteen thousand of these essential workers before the funding dried up. Mombeshora spoke about this challenge during a recent media meeting with government officials.
The Health Ministry already wanted to bring all medical staff under direct government control. They faced problems tracking workers hired through outside groups who sometimes disappeared from duty. Ministry leaders started talks last year about making everyone answer to them directly. Outside partners can still help with extra pay, but all staff must work for the government first.
Money managers are finding ways to cover everyone's salaries and even add more people to healthcare jobs. The government aims to have twice as many medical workers by 2030 as part of its long-term plan. Patients worried about HIV medicine can feel safe knowing supplies will last until June 2025. The minister promised nobody should fear treatment interruptions despite future shipments being canceled.
