Category: HIV/AIDS

Multimorbidity in Zimbabwe: A Wake-Up Call for Health System Reform

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A landmark ethnographic study has raised urgent questions about Zimbabwe’s capacity to manage rising rates of multimorbidity, a growing health challenge defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in a single individual. Conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, the study explores how this issue intersects with systemic gaps in healthcare delivery, funding, policy, and frontline services. Published in PLOS Global Public Health, the study involved more than 130 participants, including patients living with multiple chronic conditions, healthcare…

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Zimbabwe to Begin HIV Vaccine Clinical Trial in May

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere A clinical research study to assess the safety and efficacy of a new HIV vaccine is set to begin in Zimbabwe in May this year. The study will be coordinated across three sites: Mutala in Zimbabwe, the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town, and the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban. The research follows findings that countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Zimbabwe and South Africa, face a high risk of new HIV infections and continue to experience unacceptably high rates of mother-to-child transmission. Speaking to nurses…

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PSH Adopts Social Enterprise Model to Sustain Health Services

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a strategic move to ensure long-term sustainability, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is transforming part of its operations into income-generating ventures, positioning itself as a hybrid social enterprise amid waning international donor support. The shift comes at a time when global health programs are facing disruptions due to the withdrawal of funding from major donors, particularly the United States government. The cutbacks have forced several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were heavily reliant on donor aid to shut down or scale back significantly. To remain operational and…

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Future of ZIMPHIA Survey Uncertain as US Freezes Research Support

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s prospects of conducting its third Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA), a crucial household-based national HIV survey, are hanging in the balance amid indications of potential funding cuts from the United States to global scientific research initiatives. Zimbabwe has already hosted two ZIMPHIA surveys—the first in 2015/2016 and the second in 2020. Both were largely funded by the United States government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), channeled via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2020 survey cost approximately US$20 million…

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Over 83,000 Pregnant Women in Zimbabwe Miss ANC Booking, Threatening PMTCT Goals

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus by 2026 could be in jeopardy as a significant number of pregnant women are still not registering for antenatal care (ANC). Recent data reveals that the country recorded 522,786 pregnancies last year. However, 16% of these women, approximately 83,000, did not register for ANC services, which include HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and counseling. The country adopted the Triple Elimination Roadmap for the prevention of MTCT of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B…

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Zimbabwe Secures US$12M ARVs Amid Funding Cuts – Shipment Arrives in June

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere, recently in Chinhoyi With concerns mounting over potential shortages of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) following the United States Government’s funding cuts, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has reassured Zimbabweans that there will be no disruptions in supply. He confirmed that the government has already procured ARVs worth US$12 million, expected to arrive by the end of June. Speaking at a National AIDS Council (NAC) journalists’ workshop in Chinhoyi on Friday, Minister Mombeshora emphasized that the current stock would last until June, with additional procurement ensuring availability…

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Sensational Media Reports on ARVs Could Trigger Shortages, Warns Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, has assured the nation that there is no crisis regarding the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and that there is no need for panic. His statement comes amid growing anxiety among people living with HIV, some of whom have been approaching health facilities seeking refills beyond the stipulated three or six months. This follows the withdrawal of U.S. government health funding, which has supported HIV programs in Zimbabwe for years. Speaking at…

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New Start Centre Resumes Full Operations In Zimbabwe Following U.S. Funding Suspension

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa After a temporary suspension of U.S. funding, the New Start Centre program has fully resumed its operations, restoring crucial health services for communities across Zimbabwe. The suspension of the award was lifted, allowing Population Solutions for Health (PSH), which runs the New Start Centres, to continue providing vital healthcare services. Dr. Noah Taruberekera, Managing Director of Population Solutions for Health in Zimbabwe (PSH), told HealthTimes in an interview that the relaunch has been made possible through funding from key stakeholders, including the United States Agency for International…

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Health Minister Allays ARV shortage fears

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere  The government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, has reassured the nation that there will be no shortage of antiretroviral drugs, having already floated a tender for their procurement. Concerns had arisen over the potential impact on HIV patients if stocks ran out after June. Previously, Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora had confirmed that the country had sufficient supplies until then. In Zimbabwe, 31% of antiretroviral drugs are procured through U.S. funding, with the remainder funded by the government through the National AIDS Council and…

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South African Legislator Proposes Denying Foreigners Access to ARVs After PEPFAR Funding Halt

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa  Controversial South African Member of Parliament Gayton McKenzie has proposed an immediate halt to all medical assistance, including Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), in response to the gap left by the cessation of aid from the United States government. In the final week of February, PEPFAR-funded HIV organizations in South Africa, which receive funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), were notified that their PEPFAR grants had been permanently ended. PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was launched in 2003 to help combat AIDS…

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