By Staff Reporter
As Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating World AIDS Day today, health stakeholders have been urged to move beyond resilience and focus on transforming systems to ensure equitable, inclusive, and sustainable responses to the HIV epidemic.
Executive Director of the Organisation for Public Health Innovation and Development (OPHID), Dr Tinashe Chinyanga in a statement said twhile Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and expanding treatment access, recent disruptions—from pandemics and economic challenges to climate-related crises—have tested the strength of health systems and communities.
“Overcoming these disruptions requires innovation, adaptability, and sustained partnerships,” Dr Chinyanga said. “We call upon all stakeholders to reimagine systems that are equitable, inclusive and sustainable, and to place health as a fundamental human right at the center of all initiatives.”
OPHID, guided by its vision of “healthy communities free from the burden of HIV,” continues to support the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in strengthening HIV prevention, care, and treatment services across the country. Its integrated programs leverage digital health innovations and artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes, enhance efficiency, and ensure no one is left behind.
Key focus areas include strengthening community systems that empower people living with HIV, harnessing digital solutions to improve data quality and service delivery, and promoting differentiated care models to reach remote and underserved communities.
Dr Chinyanga also paid tribute to healthcare workers, community cadres, and people living with HIV, describing their resilience and commitment as a source of hope and progress.
“As we mark World AIDS Day 2025 under the theme ‘Overcoming Disruptions, Transforming the AIDS Response,’ we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating innovation and transforming the AIDS response to achieve an AIDS-free generation,” he said.
