By Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister has expressed concern that the United States of America’s (USA) withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) will lead to cuts in aid to countries like his, which are heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS.1
The US President announced the country would leave within 12 months, accusing the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, among other health crises.
Every year, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provides Zimbabwe with more than $200 million.3
Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, Ncube expressed fears following the former US President’s move.
“Any country with an HIV/AIDS challenge will be impacted. This is a concern, a fear we are expressing,” Ncube said.
Since 2006, the US government has contributed over $1.7 billion to improve health systems and assist individuals living with HIV in Zimbabwe, according to the US embassy in Harare.
PEPFAR provides close to $90 million annually to support healthcare worker salaries and incentives in Zimbabwe.4 It also funds HIV and viral load testing, prevention programs, cervical cancer screening, and tuberculosis treatment.
Zimbabwe is facing challenges in funding its public health system, and most HIV/AIDS patients rely on free medication from donor aid.5
