President Mnangagwa Reaffirms Zimbabwe’s Drive to End HIV Ahead of World AIDS Day

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating HIV in Zimbabwe, saying widening access to prevention, treatment, and integrated health services remains at the centre of the country’s response.

He made the remarks on the eve of World AIDS Day, commemorated globally every 1 December since 1988 as a moment to reflect on progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS, honour lives lost, and renew momentum towards ending the epidemic.

Mnangagwa highlighted Zimbabwe’s significant strides over the years, noting that new HIV infections have dropped by more than 80% in the last decade, while national prevalence has fallen from 14% to 11%. Access to treatment has also improved across the country.

“This year, we commemorate this day with great pride,” he said. “Zimbabwe not only reached the global 95-95-95 targets and achieved epidemic control in 2022, but we have now surpassed them. Currently, 97% of people living with HIV know their status, over 95% are receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 96% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. This progress speaks to the dedication of our leadership, communities and health workers.”

This year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reflects the challenges facing global and national health systems, particularly as countries grapple with reduced international funding, post-pandemic recovery, climate related health pressures, Mpox outbreaks and rising non communicable diseases.

Mnangagwa acknowledged the financial pressures but said government remains focused on strengthening domestic funding mechanisms to safeguard Zimbabwe’s gains.

“Our approach is shifting from dependency to self reliance. The National AIDS Trust Fund has continued to provide stable financing, and we are integrating HIV services into primary healthcare so that no citizen is left behind,” he said.

Looking ahead, the President outlined priorities designed to sustain momentum: expanding prevention and treatment, integrating HIV services with other healthcare programmes, addressing stigma and gender inequalities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the response through domestic resource mobilisation.

He said HIV will continue to be treated as a public health priority as the country pushes towards universal health coverage. Zimbabwe’s guiding health financing principle, “more money for health, and more health for the money”, remains central to efforts to build a resilient system capable of protecting the progress made so far in HIV prevention and care.