By Michael Gwarisa
Amidst growing concerns over Zimbabwe’s healthcare funding shortfalls, civil society organizations (CSOs) recently convened a post-budget dialogue with Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Health, Budget and Finance, Women Affairs, and the Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event, hosted by Youth Gate, SAfAIDS, and the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the Ministry of Finance, the National AIDS Council (NAC), and the National Family Planning Council.
Speaking during the meeting, Honourable Susan Matsunga from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health expressed concern over Zimbabwe’s repeated failure to meet the Abuja target, which mandates that 15% of a country’s national budget be allocated to healthcare.
We note that again we missed the Abuja target in the 2025 Budget presentation. Even though there was an increase, we need to do more in order to mobilize domestic resources for our healthcare,” said Hon. Matsunga.
The 2025 National Budget allocated ZW$28.3 billion (approximately US$785.9 million) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, representing just 10.2% of the national budget, down from 10.6% in 2024. The allocation also reflects only 2.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a steep decline from 4.0% in 2024.
Mr. Gwati Gwati from the Ministry of Health acknowledged the challenges, highlighting the unsustainability of providing free healthcare services.
“We want to improve our healthcare services, including the availability of medicines. However, we now need a model that works. We are moving toward a cost-recovery model where users will have to pay for services,” said Gwati.
Despite the availability of some free healthcare services, many Zimbabweans are forced to seek private healthcare due to the chronic shortage of medical supplies and personnel in public institutions. The 2025 National Budget further highlights these challenges, with family health receiving a paltry 3% of its proposed allocation. While ZW$1.97 billion was initially requested, only ZW$59.47 million was approved—a significant shortfall that could exacerbate existing challenges in accessing essential services such as family planning and HIV prevention.
A study by Youth Gate Zimbabwe Trust has revealed critical shortages of condoms and other family planning commodities among key populations, underscoring the impact of insufficient funding on sexual and reproductive health services.
Zimbabwe’s persistent failure to meet the Abuja target is taking a toll on the healthcare sector. Hospitals struggle with a lack of basic supplies, forcing patients to buy their own sundries. Shortages of skilled healthcare workers further complicate service delivery.
