News / National
Zimbabwe secures 6 month stock of ARVs
20 Feb 2025 at 18:30hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has secured enough antiretroviral (ARV) drug stock to last for the next six months, with additional procurement efforts already in progress to ensure supplies are sustained until the end of the year, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora has said.
Dr. Mombeshora made the announcement in the National Assembly yesterday during a question-and-answer session. His remarks come amid concerns raised by legislators regarding the potential impact of the recent global suspension of development and humanitarian aid by United States President Donald Trump.
The US, a major donor in the fight against HIV and AIDS, has historically channeled most of its assistance through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). However, operations have been significantly scaled down following an Executive Order issued by the US leader, leading to fears of potential drug shortages in Zimbabwe.
Dr. Mombeshora reassured Parliament that the government is taking necessary steps to safeguard the progress made in combating HIV and AIDS.
"We are doing everything to ensure that we don't reverse the gains we have made in the fight against HIV and AIDS," he said. "As a matter of policy, we already have supplies of the ARVs for the next six months, and procurement processes to get drugs that will last until the end of the year are already underway."
He emphasized that even if the US government reverses its policy position, Zimbabwe's contingency measures will remain unaffected.
"We will soon come to this august House seeking your support for additional funding to ensure that there are no disruptions in the supply of the drugs," he added.
According to Dr. Mombeshora, 31 percent of Zimbabwe's ARVs are procured through US funding, while the remainder is supplied through government efforts via the National AIDS Council and other development partners.
Zimbabwe achieved the global 95-95-95 HIV targets in 2022, which aim to ensure that 95 percent of HIV-positive individuals are aware of their status, 95 percent are receiving treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. The government remains committed to sustaining these achievements and ensuring continued access to life-saving medication for all citizens.
Dr. Mombeshora made the announcement in the National Assembly yesterday during a question-and-answer session. His remarks come amid concerns raised by legislators regarding the potential impact of the recent global suspension of development and humanitarian aid by United States President Donald Trump.
The US, a major donor in the fight against HIV and AIDS, has historically channeled most of its assistance through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). However, operations have been significantly scaled down following an Executive Order issued by the US leader, leading to fears of potential drug shortages in Zimbabwe.
Dr. Mombeshora reassured Parliament that the government is taking necessary steps to safeguard the progress made in combating HIV and AIDS.
He emphasized that even if the US government reverses its policy position, Zimbabwe's contingency measures will remain unaffected.
"We will soon come to this august House seeking your support for additional funding to ensure that there are no disruptions in the supply of the drugs," he added.
According to Dr. Mombeshora, 31 percent of Zimbabwe's ARVs are procured through US funding, while the remainder is supplied through government efforts via the National AIDS Council and other development partners.
Zimbabwe achieved the global 95-95-95 HIV targets in 2022, which aim to ensure that 95 percent of HIV-positive individuals are aware of their status, 95 percent are receiving treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. The government remains committed to sustaining these achievements and ensuring continued access to life-saving medication for all citizens.
Source - The Herald
