“Consult Us Before Introducing New Health Taxes,” Business Pleads With Mthuli

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s business community has warned that introducing more health levies without consulting the private sector could negatively affect business operations and undermine collaborative health financing efforts. Over the years, the government has introduced several taxes to boost domestic health financing. These include the airtime levy, the fast-food levy, and the sugar tax. While acknowledging that these levies have helped close some of the funding gaps left by departing development partners, the private sector believes the measures need better coordination and transparency. Zimbabwe Business Council Executive Director, Mr.…

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Zimbabwe makes landmark financing commitment for family planning and reproductive health

By Staff Reporter  BOGOTÁ, Colombia, 5 November 2025 – As traditional global aid for reproductive health declines, Zimbabwe announced its own bold investment to safeguard access to family planning for women and girls nationwide. The commitment was announced at the International Conference on Family Planning in Bogotá, Colombia, during a high-level session co-hosted by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and FP2030. Zimbabwe pledged an additional US $2.25 million yearly for the procurement of contraceptives in 2026 and 2027. “The Government of Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to the…

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Zimbabwe to Prioritise Local Funding in New HIV Strategy

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is set to begin developing its fifth Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP V), which will guide the country’s HIV response from 2026 to 2030. The forthcoming strategy follows the successful implementation of ZNASP IV, which runs until 2025 and has seen major progress in the fight against HIV. Under ZNASP IV, Zimbabwe achieved remarkable milestones, including meeting the global 95-95-95 targets — where 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those…

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US Unveils $65 Million Bridge Plan to Sustain Zimbabwe’s HIV Respons

By Michael Gwarisa The United States Department of State, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has unveiled a new HIV and AIDS support fund worth US$65.1 million for Zimbabwe. The initiative, known as The Bridge Plan, will run for the next six months, with renewal contingent on the Government of Zimbabwe meeting new U.S. Government (USG) funding requirements. Under the Bridge Plan, the U.S. government will continue to support critical HIV interventions such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV commodities procurement. However, the new funding excludes certain…

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Zim Parliament Passes Major Amendments to Abortion Law

By Michael Gwarisa The National Assembly has approved significant amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] (1977), marking a major step toward modernising Zimbabwe’s reproductive health laws. The changes were introduced under the Medical Services Bill, 2025, and are aimed at aligning the outdated 1977 legislation with the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and current public health realities. The amendments, introduced by Hon. Edwin Mushoriwa of Dzivaresekwa Constituency, were passed in the National Assembly on 23 October 2025. The Bill now moves to the Senate for consideration before being…

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Insurance Compensation Activated for Bindura-Mt Darwin Highway Accident Victims

By Staff Reporter  The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) has announced the immediate activation of insurance cover to provide compensation and support for the victims of the fatal bus accident that occurred on the Bindura-Mt Darwin Highway on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. The tragic incident claimed six lives and left several others injured, prompting an outpouring of national grief. In a press statement released on Thursday, the ICZ, which represents non-life insurers and reinsurers in the country, extended its “profound and heartfelt condolences” to the bereaved families and the nation.…

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185 Nurses Graduate at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital

By Kuda Pembere Two hundred and ten nurses graduated at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on Friday, specializing in various disciplines that include General Nursing, Midwifery, Pediatric Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing (ICN), and Operating Theatre Nursing (OTN). Of these, 114 were general nurses, 55 midwives, 14 pediatric nurses, 14 intensive care nurses, and 13 operating theatre nurses. Officiating at the ceremony, Higher Life Foundation Country Director Philani Nyatsanza said the partnership between the foundation and the hospital began in 2021 to strengthen maternal and neonatal health services. “We believe that the…

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Old Mutual Vumba Mountain Run Champions Wellness, Unity and Environmental Sustainability.

By Staff Reporter More than a thousand athletes took part in this year’s Old Mutual Vumba Mountain Run held over the weekend, with Isaac Langaat and Fortunate Chidzivo winning the 21-kilometre men’s and women’s races respectively. Langaat completed the race in 1 hour 10 minutes and 7 seconds, while Chidzivo crossed the line in 1 hour 24 minutes and 24 seconds. The event drew runners from across the country and beyond, turning the usually quiet Vumba Mountains into a hive of sporting activity. Participants described the route as both scenic…

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Africa CDC Strengthens Mpox Response through Additional Vaccine Support from Bavarian Nordic

By Staff Reporter Africa CDC has received an additional donation of 110,000 doses of mpox vaccines from Bavarian Nordic to support the ongoing response to the mpox outbreak across the continent. The vaccines have been allocated to Uganda, one of the countries most affected in 2025, through the Mpox Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM), coordinated by Africa CDC in collaboration with key global health partners. This contribution significantly increases vaccine availability in Uganda and strengthens the continent’s ability to respond swiftly and equitably to ongoing outbreaks. H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, said: “Africa…

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NAC Hands Over Blood and Renal Units to Parirenyatwa Hospital

By Michael Gwarisa The National AIDS Council (NAC) has officially handed over two critical health projects, a Family Blood Bank and a Renal Diagnostic Unit, to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in a move set to boost the quality of healthcare services in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Madzima said the new facilities represent NAC’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health system beyond the HIV and AIDS response. We are gathered here to…

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