By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe is set to begin developing its fifth Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP V), which will guide the country’s HIV response from 2026 to 2030. The forthcoming strategy follows the successful implementation of ZNASP IV, which runs until 2025 and has seen major progress in the fight against HIV.
Under ZNASP IV, Zimbabwe achieved remarkable milestones, including meeting the global 95-95-95 targets — where 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. The country also recorded a decline in mother-to-child HIV transmission rates and scaled up innovative biomedical prevention methods such as oral PrEP, injectable PrEP, and the Dapivirine vaginal ring.
However, as the country transitions into the next strategic period, concerns are mounting over declining donor support for HIV programs. Key interventions such as Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) and condom distribution have experienced funding cuts, threatening to slow progress made over the past two decades.
Speaking at the ZNASP IV review meeting in Harare, the Director of AIDS and TB in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Owen Mugurungi, said the new plan would focus on strengthening sustainability and domestic financing for the HIV response.
We gather today in challenging times. While our work is not yet finished, the support we have been receiving from partners has diminished due to global funding shifts. We need to show the world that we are ready to safeguard and maintain the gains we have achieved,” said Dr Mugurungi.
“We must improve the domestic resource envelope to fight HIV and AIDS. It is crucial that we place sustainability at the forefront of our response.”
He added that Zimbabwe has made significant strides in combating HIV, thanks to the collective efforts of government, civil society, health workers, and communities.
“Together, we have turned the tide. We are on the cusp of achieving the 95-95-95 targets, and our people living with HIV are now thriving. This is not a small achievement. It is a victory that we must preserve by ensuring we do not lose the gains attained over the past years,” he said.
The new strategy is expected to promote cost-effective interventions, explore private sector partnerships, and strengthen domestic funding mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability. Dr Mugurungi said lessons learned from previous plans would guide the development of a more resilient national response.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s HIV response. We are charting the course for ZNASP V (2026–2030), which must reflect the realities of our current funding environment and leverage our collective experience,” he said.
National AIDS Council (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, said the new plan would align closely with national development priorities and respond to emerging health challenges that have reshaped the country’s public health landscape.
“These strategic plans are critical because they guide our interventions and feed into the broader national development strategy. Over the past few years, we have faced numerous challenges — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the rise of non-communicable diseases,” said Dr Madzima.
“As a result, HIV is no longer seen as a top health threat globally. But for us, the fight is not over. We have not yet reached the goal of zero new infections, and we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball.”
He added that NAC had appointed a team of consultants, led by Professor Rusakaniko, to develop the strategy through an inclusive and consultative process. “They are aware of the tighter funding landscape and will help identify low-cost but high-impact interventions,” said Dr Madzima.
He also highlighted the importance of aligning the new strategy with national health financing initiatives such as the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Primary Health Care strategy. “We must look at what is sustainable and identify other players, including the private sector, who can play a bigger role in financing and implementing HIV programs. By 2030, we are confident that we will have crossed the finish line in ending new HIV infections,” he said.
The development of ZNASP V marks a critical turning point for Zimbabwe’s HIV response, shifting from donor dependency toward home-grown, sustainable solutions designed to preserve hard-won gains and ensure no one is left behind.
Jerry Manyika, Advisor for Equality and Rights for All at UNAIDS Zimbabwe, said global disruptions in HIV financing have reshaped community-level responses. “We have faced massive disruptions in the funding architecture, most affecting community interventions. Unfortunately, we cannot end AIDS without fully embracing diversity and achieving full realization of human rights and equality,” said Manyika.
Meanwhile, Dr Tsitsio Apollo, the Deputy Director for AIDS and TB in the Ministry of Health, acknowledged government efforts to bridge funding gaps and maintain service delivery despite global funding reductions. He said the Ministry had recently assessed the impact of reduced donor funding across five provinces, visiting 21 health facilities to evaluate service continuity, access, quality, and overall public health outcomes.
The findings from this assessment will guide mitigation strategies and strengthen future resilience, ensuring Zimbabwe’s HIV response remains effective and sustainable in the face of declining external support.
