Zimbabwe says it planned to run the health system before Trump cut money. The government wants everyone to know it made this choice ahead of time. On January 20, Trump stopped all cash to USAID for three months. He ordered a complete review of every program the agency pays for worldwide.
USAID plays a huge role in helping public hospitals work in Zimbabwe and other African nations. Many worry this could hurt progress against HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. Health minister Douglas Mombeshora claimed they already wanted all health staff under ministry control. He said they faced problems knowing who reported to whom when NGOs hired medical workers.
The funding block for health programs later ended, but medicines still haven't arrived. Current supplies last only until June, just three months away. Mombeshora told reporters Monday the government bought extra medicine that should last from June through September. His statements didn't match up well. First, he said their orders stopped, then claimed shipments would come in stages.
Later, he mentioned they asked companies to bid on supplying these same drugs as they wait for Trump's USAID review. USAID pays for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria medicine, plus condoms and salaries for doctors and nurses at special clinics everywhere in Zimbabwe. Mombeshora promised people taking HIV drugs won't face any breaks in treatment and urged against stockpiling.
The agency pays more than 19,000 village health workers and over 1,000 nurses and doctors across the country. Since independence, African healthcare systems have suffered from decades of little money. Trump's decision scared away other help groups, making the situation even worse for patients who need care.
USAID plays a huge role in helping public hospitals work in Zimbabwe and other African nations. Many worry this could hurt progress against HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. Health minister Douglas Mombeshora claimed they already wanted all health staff under ministry control. He said they faced problems knowing who reported to whom when NGOs hired medical workers.
The funding block for health programs later ended, but medicines still haven't arrived. Current supplies last only until June, just three months away. Mombeshora told reporters Monday the government bought extra medicine that should last from June through September. His statements didn't match up well. First, he said their orders stopped, then claimed shipments would come in stages.
Later, he mentioned they asked companies to bid on supplying these same drugs as they wait for Trump's USAID review. USAID pays for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria medicine, plus condoms and salaries for doctors and nurses at special clinics everywhere in Zimbabwe. Mombeshora promised people taking HIV drugs won't face any breaks in treatment and urged against stockpiling.
The agency pays more than 19,000 village health workers and over 1,000 nurses and doctors across the country. Since independence, African healthcare systems have suffered from decades of little money. Trump's decision scared away other help groups, making the situation even worse for patients who need care.
