Funding cuts threaten decades of HIV progress in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's hard-won gains in HIV care are under serious threat as funding cuts from the U.S. and other donor nations disrupt critical treatment and support services. Community advocates, including Angela Jambo, who has spent over 20 years supporting people living with HIV, are witnessing the collapse of programs that once provided lifelines for thousands.

"Support groups were everything. Now I see these children walking aimlessly as we are no longer conducting any support group activities. It's stressful and disturbing. These children had found a family in our groups. Now, all of that is gone," Jambo lamented.

Since the early 2000s, Zimbabwe had emerged as a model for HIV management, with initiatives like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs enabling widespread access to antiretroviral treatment (ARVs). The country had even achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, marking a milestone in combating the epidemic.

However, the landscape shifted dramatically after recent cuts to foreign aid, leaving operations like USAID effectively halted. The consequences are becoming stark: over 5,900 AIDS-related deaths were recorded in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 5,712 deaths reported in 2024.

Beloved Mhizha, a former community health worker in Mbare, noted, "We are going backwards. Condoms are in short supply, and clinics no longer treat minor ailments like they used to. The programs that offered us hope are disappearing."

Lay counselor Sithabile Garananga added, "It hurts to see people suffering while I stand by with my hands tied. I know how to help, but I can't reach them anymore."

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Country Representative Zahra Zeggani-Bec warned that the collapse of community-based and prevention programs is particularly devastating for key populations, leaving vulnerable groups entirely unsupported.

The funding shortfall is not just a health issue—it also exacerbates social challenges, with stigma and poverty deterring individuals from seeking medical care. Experts warn that without urgent international intervention, Zimbabwe risks losing years of progress in HIV prevention and treatment.

As advocates struggle to keep essential services alive, they call on the global community to step in before the situation becomes irreversible. As Jambo said, "Hope is not lost, but we need action before it's too late."