US embassy tells Zimbabwe Govt: ‘Time to take responsibility for healthcare’

HARARE – The US Embassy in Zimbabwe has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to take responsibility for the health of its citizens, boldly stating, “they can do this”.

This call comes after the US government paused foreign assistance to Zimbabwe, only to later lift the halt on delivering HIV medicines and salaries for nurses.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing HIV infection rates, achieving the 95/95/95 targets. However, the country still relies heavily on foreign aid for healthcare.

The embassy emphasised that it is time for Zimbabwe to focus on buying antiretroviral treatment (ART) and deploying nurses to clinics.

“At this moment, in order to do a thorough review, all programs and grants without a waiver approved by the Secretary of State using foreign assistance funding are paused. It is time for Zimbabwe to take seriously its responsibility for the health of its people.

“For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets. They urgently need to be focused on buying ART and getting nurses in clinics. They can do this,” the embassy stated.

The US government’s initial decision to halt HIV medication and nurse salaries sparked widespread concern, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for additional exemptions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since issued a waiver, exempting life-saving humanitarian assistance from the 90-day pause in foreign aid.

But, the Zimbabwean government has been encouraged to develop an independent plan for its healthcare rather than relying on foreign aid.

Zimbabwe has been failing to manage the healthcare system for over two decades. The government has consistently failed to meet the Abuja Declaration, which calls for African governments to allocate at least 15% of their national budgets to improving healthcare systems.

Government corruption has also been responsible for the collapse of the health sector and the economy at large. The situation has escalated to an extent that government hospitals do not even have a single working cancer machine. Shortage of medicines is the order of the day.