Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube expressed grave concern on Wednesday over the recent decision by the United States government to withdraw from the World Health Organization. This move, Ncube warned, could severely impact the country’s ability to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as Zimbabwe heavily relies on US-funded health programs.
“Any country with an HIV/AIDS challenge, such as ours, will be significantly impacted by a reduction in US support,” Minister Ncube stated during an online briefing from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Zimbabwe receives over $200 million annually through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since 2006, the US government has generously provided over $1.7 billion to bolster Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and support those living with HIV, according to the US embassy in Harare.
PEPFAR plays a crucial role in supporting Zimbabwe’s healthcare workers, contributing nearly $90 million annually towards their salaries and incentives. This critical funding also underpins vital health services, including HIV testing, viral load monitoring, prevention initiatives, cervical cancer screening, and tuberculosis treatment.
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Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in adequately funding its public health sector. To address this, the government recently implemented a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to generate revenue for cancer treatment and introduced a tax on fast foods this year.
“We urgently need to increase our domestic funding for healthcare,” Minister Ncube emphasized. “The revenues generated from these recently introduced taxes must be directly channeled towards strengthening our healthcare system, as we must be prepared to bridge any funding gaps that may arise from potential reductions in external support.”
Zimbabwe’s fear highlights the precarious position of countries, heavily reliant on international aid to combat major health crises. The US withdrawal from the WHO raises serious concerns about the future of global health cooperation and the potential impact on vulnerable populations worldwide.
