The United States has urged Zimbabwe to take full responsibility for its citizens’ healthcare and swiftly take control of health programs that it has significantly supported over the years.
Since 2006, the U.S. government has contributed over $1.7 billion to improve health systems and assist individuals living with HIV in Zimbabwe, according to the U.S. Embassy in Harare.1
This development comes after newly elected U.S. President’s executive orders on reevaluating and realigning his country’s foreign aid.
Amid ongoing developments, the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe stated that, in line with the Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid, the Secretary of State has suspended all foreign assistance provided through the State Department and USAID for evaluation.2
“At this moment, in order to do a thorough review, all programs and grants without a waiver approved by the Secretary of State using foreign assistance funding are paused. It is time for Zimbabwe to take seriously its responsibility for the health of its people.
“For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets. They urgently need to be focused on buying ART and getting nurses in clinics. They can do this,” a State Department representative said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provides close to $90 million annually to support healthcare worker salaries and incentives in Zimbabwe.3
It also funds HIV and viral load testing, prevention programs, cervical cancer screening, and tuberculosis treatment.
