The Zimbabwean government is negotiating a new five-year funding agreement with the United States to support its national HIV response. Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora confirmed the discussions, which focus on a memorandum of understanding for financial support commencing in April 2026. He explained that the proposed arrangement would gradually reduce external funding to zero by the fifth year, requiring Zimbabwe to scale up its domestic resources to cover the gap.
Minister Mombeshora emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's achievement of the global 95-95-95 HIV targets, warning that any disruption in financing could reverse these gains. He identified potential domestic financing streams, including sin taxes, and mentioned that the planned National Health Insurance scheme would also contribute. The National Aids Council is concurrently developing a new strategic plan that prioritizes inward-looking financing to ensure programmes continue uninterrupted despite declining donor support.
Minister Mombeshora emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's achievement of the global 95-95-95 HIV targets, warning that any disruption in financing could reverse these gains. He identified potential domestic financing streams, including sin taxes, and mentioned that the planned National Health Insurance scheme would also contribute. The National Aids Council is concurrently developing a new strategic plan that prioritizes inward-looking financing to ensure programmes continue uninterrupted despite declining donor support.
