By Brenna Matendere
Harare — Zimbabwe has recorded a worrying rise in AIDS-related deaths in the first half of 2025, signaling a potential setback in the country’s ongoing battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Speaking at a media workshop on HIV reporting and stigma reduction in Harare, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora revealed that 5,932 people died from AIDS-related complications between January and June this year — 220 more deaths than the same period in 2024.
“An increase of 220 deaths is a reminder that our work is not done,” Mombeshora said, noting that while progress has been made, the recent spike is a cause for concern.
He did not cite specific reasons behind the increase but stressed the urgency of reinforcing HIV/AIDS response efforts.
For years, Zimbabwe had been recording a decline in AIDS-related deaths. In 2023, 17,000 people succumbed to AIDS, down from 20,000 in 2022, highlighting the impact of expanded treatment programs and community outreach. The recent rise, however, threatens to reverse those gains.
Mombeshora acknowledged that the country has made strides toward achieving the global UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. These targets call for:
95% of people living with HIV to know their status
95% of those diagnosed to be on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression
Viral suppression reduces HIV to undetectable levels, meaning the virus can no longer damage the immune system or be transmitted to others.
But the minister warned that these achievements are fragile, facing threats from persistent stigma, discrimination, resource constraints, and a shift in funding dynamics.
“As a nation, we must confront these realities with honesty and resolve,” Mombeshora urged. “Addressing stigma and discrimination is not only a moral obligation — it is a public health imperative.”
Zimbabwe is currently transitioning to full domestic financing for its HIV and AIDS response, amid a decline in international donor support.
However, the move has come with challenges — especially in maintaining outreach staff and delivering community-based services critical to HIV care and prevention.
The government is implementing operational adjustments to protect key services but emphasized that innovation, domestic partnerships, and stronger national systems will be essential to building a self-sustaining response.
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