Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, on Friday, 16 May, addressed the media to provide clarity on the country’s access to HIV services.
The press conference comes in the wake of social media reports alleging shortages of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), claims of illicit sales of these life-saving medications, and accusations of extortion by healthcare workers, particularly in areas like Chiredzi.
Mombeshora assured the public that the Ministry takes these concerns very seriously and remains committed to transparency.
He said the Ministry’s top priority is to ensure the uninterrupted access to HIV treatment while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people living with HIV. Said Mombeshora:
The Ministry takes these reports with the utmost seriousness. As the custodians of public health, we are committed to addressing these concerns openly and truthfully, while ensuring that the rights and dignity of all people living with HIV are protected.
Regarding the allegations of ARV shortages, the Minister strongly refuted claims that the country was experiencing a lack of stock.
He asserted that the Ministry uses a well-structured inventory control system, which ensures that the country maintains adequate supplies of ARVs.
The Minister explained that the system operates on a minimum and maximum inventory approach, with 14 months being the maximum stock level and 8 months the minimum.
Mombeshora reassured the public that there is no risk of stock-outs for all treatment regimens. He said that the Ministry currently holds eight months of stock for adult first-line ARVs and four months of stock for paediatric first-line ARVs.
He said the Ministry is also in the process of phasing out older paediatric formulations and replacing them with a new fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicine.
Shipments of the improved FDC are expected in July, which will cover an additional five months of stock, said Mombeshora.
The Minister also addressed concerns raised by some delays in shipments earlier this year due to a Stop Work Order from the US Government.
He said the Ministry acted swiftly to address the situation by mobilising domestic resources through the National AIDS Council (NAC), ensuring that the supply of essential medications was uninterrupted. Said Mombeshora:
Our antiretroviral therapy (ART) medicine requirements for 2025 are fully funded. While some partner-supported shipments experienced delays earlier this year due to the issuance of a Stop Work Order from US Government, we responded swiftly and decisively.
Through the National AIDS Council (NAC), we mobilised domestic resources to close the gap and ensure an uninterrupted supply of life-saving medications, safeguarding the progress we have made toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.
The Ministry remains firmly committed to domestic resource mobilisation as part of a broader strategy to build a resilient and self-sustaining health delivery system capable of withstanding both local and global challenges.
Another critical issue raised at the press conference was the alleged extortion of patients living with HIV, particularly in Chiredzi.
Mombeshora expressed his grave concern about these reports, calling such behaviour a serious violation of ethical standards and a betrayal of public trust.
He unequivocally condemned any healthcare worker found guilty of exploiting patients, emphasising that immediate investigations were already underway. Said Mombeshora:
Immediate investigations are underway, and any healthcare worker found guilty will face swift disciplinary action. No one entrusted with the duty of care should ever exploit the vulnerable.
Mombeshora reminded the public that ARVs are provided free of charge to all patients and called on anyone who is asked to pay for HIV services to report the incident to the relevant authorities.
He outlined that patients should immediately contact the Provincial Medical Director (PMD), the District Medical Officer (DMO), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), or the Minister’s Office if they face such demands.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to end AIDS as a public health threat in Zimbabwe by 2030. He stressed that the progress made toward these targets would be safeguarded and furthered, not reversed.
In addition to the HIV services update, Mombeshora provided information on the Zimbabwe COVID-19 Response and Essential Health Services Project (ZCRPEHSP).
He said 90% of the hospital and maternity waiting home equipment procured under this project, with support from the World Bank’s Global Financing Facility (GFF), has now arrived in the country.
The equipment, which is being distributed to healthcare facilities, will support 25 theatres and maternity homes across the nation, the Minister said.
Mombeshora added that deliveries began on 30 April 2025, with all items expected to be fully delivered by 31 May 2025.
Installation and training for the equipment are scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2025.
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