Zimbabwe records rise in HIV/Aids deaths

Zimbabwe has seen a rise in HIV/AIDS-related deaths during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, raising concerns among lawmakers that reductions in foreign aid to critical health programmes are beginning to take a toll. However, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora dismissed claims linking the increase to funding cuts, assuring Parliament that the country remains well-stocked with life-saving medicines.

Responding to a question from Kwekwe MP Corban Madzivanyika on Wednesday, Minister Mombeshora revealed that 5,712 people died from HIV/AIDS-related causes between January and June 2024, while the figure for the same period in 2025 rose slightly to 5,932 deaths, marking an increase of 220.

Madzivanyika expressed concern that the rise could reflect the strain caused by the withdrawal of development partner funding for HIV/AIDS programmes. "Is it not that this increment represents the challenge that we are now facing or the burden that has now increased, now that development partners have left Zimbabwe in terms of funding for HIV and AIDS-related programmes?" he asked.

Mombeshora firmly rejected the link, explaining that the increase could not be attributed to donor funding cuts since hospitals were fully stocked with HIV/AIDS commodities before the cuts took effect. "From January to June, the commodities for HIV/AIDS had already been procured and the programmes have been progressing well," he said.

The minister urged patients on HIV treatment not to panic, affirming that Zimbabwe currently has sufficient stocks of medication. "We are still receiving more commodities to take us up to the end of the year. So, there are no shortages at all," he reassured Parliament.

Mombeshora further noted that the government would analyze the year-end data to better understand the reasons behind the mortality figures, emphasizing that the numbers for the full year might even be lower than those recorded in 2024.

Despite these assurances, MPs from the opposition expressed lingering doubts. Emakhandeni-Luveve legislator Discent Bajila questioned the capacity to handle HIV/AIDS cases beyond June, asking, "We are left with 12 days of this month. What happens to our capacity to handle HIV/AIDS cases post the 30th of June?" Similarly, Chiredzi Central MP Ropafadzo Makumire sought clarity on what could explain the rise if not related to funding withdrawals.

Temporary Speaker Joe Tshuma defended the minister, stating that the explanation was clear and that blaming medicine shortages for the rise was unfounded. "Whatever happened between January and June, it definitely could not have been the issue of a lack of medicine," Tshuma said.

The issue of foreign aid cuts dates back to early US policies under former President Donald Trump, who initially froze many aid programmes, including parts of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and funding for UNAIDS, the United Nations HIV/AIDS programme. Some of this assistance was later reinstated, but the interruptions have left concerns about long-term impacts on countries like Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zimbabwe has achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 Fast-Track targets for adults, signaling strong national progress in combating HIV. These targets indicate that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral load suppression.

As Zimbabwe continues its fight against HIV/AIDS, government officials emphasize sustained efforts and collaborations to maintain and improve health outcomes despite evolving funding landscapes.