HIV patients in Zimbabwe breathe huge sigh of relief as US foreign aid resumes

HARARE – The United States government has lifted its halt on delivering HIV medicines and salaries for nurses in Zimbabwe, amidst a broader review of US foreign aid.

The move comes after widespread criticism over the potential humanitarian consequences of the aid pause, particularly in Africa.

According to Reuters, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver on Tuesday, exempting life-saving humanitarian assistance from the 90-day pause in foreign aid. The waiver includes core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance.

“This waiver does not apply to activities that involve abortions, family planning conferences, administrative costs … gender or DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) ideology programs, transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance,” Rubio said.

The decision is a welcome relief for Zimbabwe, where approximately 1.2 million people are on HIV treatment.

The country has made significant progress in reducing HIV infection rates, thanks in part to antiretroviral medication supplied by the US. Without this medication, many Zimbabweans would be at risk of dying or transmitting the virus to others.

The Trump administration’s initial decision to halt HIV medication and nurse salaries had sparked widespread concern, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for additional exemptions to ensure continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities.

Prominent Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said the suspension had caused panic in the health community.

“The Trump administration has lifted the halt on delivering HIV medicines and salaries for nurses,” he said.

“A manager at a local clinic in Zimbabwe confirmed to me that they will now continue providing antiretrovirals to patients. Zimbabwean nurses paid by the American government, whose salaries had been suspended, will now receive their payments.

“An official in the Ministry of Health told me that the nurses were even more crucial because, without them, there would be no one to distribute the medicines.

“There was panic in the health community when the suspension was announced, one hopes that the Zimbabwean government will not rest on its laurels instead of putting up an independent plan for its people.”