President Mnangagwa Reiterates Commitment to Domestic Health Financing
n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n Harare - President Mnangagwa has reiterated the Government’s commitment to enhancing domestic financing for health to protect Zimbabwe’s hard-won achievements in the fight against HIV and AIDS. n nn n As the coun
anostrofy By Dumisani Ndlovu
Harare - President Mnangagwa has reiterated the Government’s commitment to enhancing domestic financing for health to protect Zimbabwe’s hard-won achievements in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
As the country commemorated World Aids Day on Monday, December 1, it was an opportunity to honor lives lost to AIDS, celebrate progress and reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to eliminating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.
In his address yesterday, President Mnangagwa emphasized the need to safeguard Zimbabwe’s progress in meeting and exceeding global HIV targets through stronger national investment in health systems.
"The Zimbabwe Health Financing Dialogue theme of ‘More money for health and more health for the money’ directly reflects our national focus.
"The Government remains fully committed to mobilizing domestic resources to ensure that no one is left behind.
"We are shifting our response from dependency to self-determination, transitioning from fragmented vertical programs to an integrated national health system," he said.
President Mnangagwa noted that despite a decline in global funding and emerging health issues, Zimbabwe is fostering a resilient, home-grown response.
The country exceeded the UNAids 95-95-95 global targets and achieved epidemic control in 2022.
Statistics reveal that 97 percent of people living with HIV know their status, over 95 percent are on life-saving anti-retroviral therapy, and 96 percent of those receiving treatment are virally suppressed.
President Mnangagwa affirmed that the progress made assures the leadership that the nation is firmly on track to ending AIDS.
"Nonetheless, challenges persist. Young people, women, and other vulnerable groups continue to bear a disproportionate burden.
"Stigma still discourages many from seeking prevention and treatment services, and financial resources have never been adequate," he remarked.
The President also emphasized that the National Aids Trust Fund (Aids Levy) remains a cornerstone of sustainable domestic financing, with bold steps being taken to increase government investment in health in accordance with continental commitments.
"My Government is accelerating reforms in the broader health delivery system. We are taking significant steps to increase budgetary support for health towards the Abuja target," he said.
The Abuja declaration, made in April 2001 during the African Summit on HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and related infectious diseases, commits African governments to allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to the health sector, enhancing healthcare and combating diseases like HIV/AIDS across the continent.
President Mnangagwa stated that the 2025 World Aids Day theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the Aids response,” reflects the realities facing the country following COVID-19 disruptions, as well as emerging threats from non-communicable diseases, climate-related emergencies and outbreaks such as Mpox.
"These setbacks have slowed critical prevention programs; however, they have also fortified our resolve.
"As a nation, we continue to devise a response that is home-grown, home-financed and aligned with our priorities, guided by our enduring mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’," he added.
Zimbabwe’s selection among 10 countries piloting the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug signifies global confidence in its response efforts, the President noted.
Looking ahead, he said the national priority is to expand prevention and treatment, address gender inequalities, integrate HIV services with other health interventions, and secure long-term sustainability through domestic resource mobilization.
President Mnangagwa concluded by stating that HIV will remain a public health priority as part of the broader pursuit of universal health coverage.
"I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National Aids Council, development partners, and our dedicated health workers for their unwavering commitment. Together, we will consolidate our gains and complete the journey we have begun. Zimbabwe will end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030," he affirmed.
