US Ambassador Pamela Tremont has announced that American-funded health programmes in Zimbabwe will come to an end at the close of September, following more than two decades of cooperation between the two countries.
The US has been a major partner in Zimbabwe’s HIV response, supporting access to antiretroviral therapy, PEP, PrEP, condoms, family planning services and other health interventions. The assistance also included support for health workers.
Speaking at an event at her residence, Tremont said the partnership had contributed to Zimbabwe’s progress in controlling HIV.
“More than 95 percent of people living with HIV are now receiving treatment, describing the achievement as the result of years of cooperation between Zimbabwe and the United States,” she said.
Current figures show that 97 percent of people living with HIV know their status, while 98 percent of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment. Among people on treatment, 96 percent have achieved viral suppression.
Tremont said Washington had changed its approach to international health assistance by introducing a new Health Memorandum of Understanding framework that involves greater financial contributions and responsibility from recipient countries.
However, Zimbabwe declined to enter into the proposed bilateral Health MoU. As a result, Tremont said US-supported health programmes in the country will be wound down at the end of September.
“The US Embassy was working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other partners to ensure a smooth and responsible transition,” she added.
The decision follows months of discussions between the two countries over the proposed funding arrangement. The Zimbabwean Government previously rejected the agreement, amid claims that the US was seeking access to health data and the country’s mineral resources.
According to documents cited by the publication, those claims did not reflect the contents of the proposed agreement.
Tremont stressed that the end of US health funding does not mean Washington is leaving Zimbabwe.
Instead, she said the relationship would increasingly focus on trade, investment and business opportunities.
She said the US Embassy would continue engaging the Zimbabwean Government and citizens on areas of mutual interest, describing the shift as the beginning of a new phase in US-Zimbabwe relations.