Tag: health financing

Funding Cuts Push Zimbabwe to Consider Reusable Circumcision Kits

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is exploring the use of reusable circumcision kits to sustain voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services amid declining international funding and the gradual withdrawal of donor support. VMMC has been a key HIV prevention tool in Zimbabwe, credited with significantly reducing new HIV infections since the program’s launch in 2009. At its peak in 2012, the program recorded over 1.1 million circumcisions, contributing to the national goal of achieving 80% coverage among adult males and newborns. In the long term, Zimbabwe aimed to maintain around 150,000…

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

Michael Gwarisa

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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Global Fund Appeals for Support Ahead of 8th Replenishment, Calls for African Ownership of HIV Programs

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban The Global Fund last night took to the platform at the ongoing 4th CPHIA Conference in Durban, South Africa, to call for support towards the 8th Replenishment, aimed at strengthening HIV programs amid shrinking donor support. The Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment is a campaign launched in 2025 to raise 18 billion US dollars to fight HIV, TB, and malaria between 2027 and 2029. The 8th cycle aims to save 23 million lives, avert 400 million infections, reduce mortality by 64% compared to 2023, and strengthen…

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Scientists Converge in Record Numbers as 2025 CPHIA Opens in Durban

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban, South Africa Registration data show that approximately 800 scientists and researchers from various scientific disciplines had registered for participation by the opening day of the 2025 Conference for Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in Durban, South Africa. The conference runs from October 22 to 25, 2025 under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa.” It is aimed at deliberating on numerous issues affecting healthcare. Officiating at the opening ceremony of the 4th CPHIA, South Africa’s Deputy Minister…

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Zimbabwe Moves to Finalize National Health Insurance Bill Ahead of Parliament

Kuda Pembere
Minister of Health Dr. Douglas Mombeshora shares a light moment with Dr. Ron Mhizha of the Eye Institute and Chrispen Dzingirai of Old Mutual Zimbabwe during the launch of free cataract eye clinics.

By Kudakwashe Pembere Anticipating the enactment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme by year-end, efforts to finalize the NHI Bill are on course, with Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora confirming it will be sent to Parliament this month. After decades of consultation and research, Zimbabwe’s proposed NHI scheme is now closer to fruition. Dr. Mombeshora told a Health Partners Coordination meeting on Friday that the much-awaited scheme will help pool resources for the health sector. We meet at a time when we are driving ambitious reforms…

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Desperate Zimbos Turn To Crowd Funding For Healthcare Financing

Michael Gwarisa

IN a country where medical aid coverage is less than 10 percent, ordinary Zimbabweans who can’t afford medical aid cover and health insurance have found solace in crowd funding initiatives for critical surgeries and treatment for complicated ailments. By Michael Gwarisa According to the Association of Healthcare Funders Zimbabwe (AHFoZ), medical aid coverage has dropped from a high of 10 percent in 2018 to the current  9 percent, making it untenable for majority of Zimbabweans whose life savings and hard earned cash has turned into manure since August 2018 at…

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Tourism Industry Could Fund Zim Healthcare

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH experts have called on Zimbabwe’s government to consider broadening the health financing net by tapping into better performing sectors such as tourism among others. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently reeling from under-funding with majority of financial resources coming from donors and the international community. However, there have been growing calls from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and health economists to consider mobilising domestic financial resources to fund health sector operations. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Assistant Country Representative, Abigail Msemburi said the tourism sector was currently one…

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