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USA regrets Zimbabwe’s decision to withdraw from health MOU talks
2 hrs ago |
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The United States says it regrets the Government of Zimbabwe’s decision to withdraw from negotiations on a proposed bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which would have channelled US$367 million over five years towards Zimbabwe’s priority health programmes.
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the proposed MOU was designed to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease‑outbreak preparedness.
“We believe this collaboration would have delivered extraordinary benefits for Zimbabwean communities — especially the 1.2 million men, women and children currently receiving HIV treatment through U.S.-supported programmes,” said U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont.
“We will now turn to the difficult and regrettable task of winding down our health assistance in Zimbabwe.”
According to the U.S., the proposed MOU would have been the largest potential health investment in Zimbabwe by any international funder. It was based on a co‑funding model requiring Zimbabwe to gradually increase its own health financing alongside U.S. support.
The U.S. noted that it has provided more than US$1.9 billion in health assistance to Zimbabwe since 2006 — support credited with helping the country reach the UNAIDS 95‑95‑95 targets.
Sixteen African countries have already signed similar health MOUs with the United States, representing more than US$18.3 billion in new health funding, including US$11.2 billion in U.S. assistance and US$7.1 billion in co‑investment from partner governments.
Ambassador Tremont said the U.S. must ensure that American taxpayer funds are invested where “mutual accountability, transparency and shared commitment are assured”.
“These MOUs set a higher standard for bilateral health cooperation — one that prioritises sustainability, measurable outcomes and shared ownership of results,” she said.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has assured us it is prepared to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we wish them well.”
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the proposed MOU was designed to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease‑outbreak preparedness.
“We believe this collaboration would have delivered extraordinary benefits for Zimbabwean communities — especially the 1.2 million men, women and children currently receiving HIV treatment through U.S.-supported programmes,” said U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont.
“We will now turn to the difficult and regrettable task of winding down our health assistance in Zimbabwe.”
According to the U.S., the proposed MOU would have been the largest potential health investment in Zimbabwe by any international funder. It was based on a co‑funding model requiring Zimbabwe to gradually increase its own health financing alongside U.S. support.
The U.S. noted that it has provided more than US$1.9 billion in health assistance to Zimbabwe since 2006 — support credited with helping the country reach the UNAIDS 95‑95‑95 targets.
Sixteen African countries have already signed similar health MOUs with the United States, representing more than US$18.3 billion in new health funding, including US$11.2 billion in U.S. assistance and US$7.1 billion in co‑investment from partner governments.
Ambassador Tremont said the U.S. must ensure that American taxpayer funds are invested where “mutual accountability, transparency and shared commitment are assured”.
“These MOUs set a higher standard for bilateral health cooperation — one that prioritises sustainability, measurable outcomes and shared ownership of results,” she said.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has assured us it is prepared to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we wish them well.”
Source - Byo24news
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