Zimbabwe's Unyielding Fight Against AIDS Amidst Disruption

The air at Mzingwane High School in Matabeleland South Province was thick with both remembrance and resolve as community leaders, health officials, and international partners gathered for World AIDS Day. Under the global theme, "Overcoming disruptions, transforming the AIDS response," the event served as a powerful testament to Zimbabwe's remarkable journey in the fight against HIV, even as new challenges threaten to unravel decades of progress.

At the heart of the day's address was Ms. Etona Ekole, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim and UNICEF Representative, whose words resonated with urgency, gratitude, and an unwavering commitment to the human spirit. "Today, we gather to remember lives lost, celebrate lives saved, and, crucially, to renew our collective commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030," Ms. Ekole declared, her voice carrying across the attentive crowd. "This is a moment to acknowledge real, hard-won progress."

Indeed, the statistics shared by Ms. Ekole painted a picture of remarkable achievement. Globally, new HIV infections have plummeted by 40% since 2010, and AIDS-related deaths have more than halved. In Zimbabwe, the strides have been particularly impressive. "Here in Zimbabwe," she said, "the UN has proudly partnered with the Government, communities, and people living with HIV. We support over 1.1 million people consistently on life-saving antiretroviral therapy."

These efforts have allowed countless individuals, like Maria Ncube (a pseudonym), a 35-year-old mother of two from a nearby village, to reclaim their lives. Diagnosed with HIV over a decade ago, Maria once faced a grim future. Thanks to consistent access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the support of village health workers, she now runs a small thriving market stall and actively participates in her local support group. "My children are healthy, and I am healthy," Maria shared quietly, her eyes reflecting both resilience and gratitude. "The medication gave me back my life. It gave my children their mother."

However, Maria's journey, and that of millions like her, was nearly jeopardized earlier this year. Ms. Ekole candidly addressed the "significant shocks in AIDS financing" that rocked the global response at the beginning of 2025. "With over 80% of the funding for Zimbabwe's HIV response traditionally coming from external sources, primarily the US Government and the Global Fund, shifts in geopolitical tectonics led to significant shocks in AIDS financing," she explained. The temporary pause in HIV-related funding by a major donor plunged the response into a crisis.

"Clinics were forced to shut their doors, essential frontline health workers' functions were paused, and community programs reaching the most vulnerable stopped," Ms. Ekole recounted, her expression serious. "These disruptions had severe potential unintended consequences: a rebound in new HIV infections, an increase in AIDS-related mortality, increased resistance to available treatments, and reduced ART coverage." For individuals like Maria, this meant agonizing uncertainty, a fear that the life-saving treatment she relied on might suddenly become unavailable.

Yet, from the brink of crisis, Zimbabwe’s spirit of innovation and self-reliance shone through. Ms. Ekole paid profound tribute to the foresight of the Government of Zimbabwe for institutionalizing the "AIDS Fund," effectively recalibrating the well-known AIDS Levy. "This fund has been instrumental in plugging gaps created by these shifts in funding architecture, serving as a model for other countries," she stated, highlighting its crucial role in preventing widespread catastrophe. She also commended the Ministry of Health and Child Care for their "outstanding leadership" in spearheading a proactive national response, recognizing that "external donor support is not a permanent solution."

The development of an HIV Sustainable Financing Roadmap, with Part A completed in 2024 and Part B nearing finalization, further exemplifies this commitment to long-term solutions. "I also profoundly salute the communities who have anchored the HIV response with passion, compassion, empathy, and volunteerism, even in the face of unprecedented changes to the funding architecture," Ms. Ekole added, acknowledging the unsung heroes at the grassroots.

Despite the recent challenges, Zimbabwe stands tall in its achievements. "New HIV infections declined by 80% between 2010 (76,000) and 2025 (15,000)," Ms. Ekole revealed. "Over the same period, AIDS-related deaths decreased by 78%, while ART coverage soared from 26% in 2010 to 95% in 2025." Zimbabwe is now one of only eight countries globally to achieve and surpass the UNAIDS 2025 targets of 95-95-95, a critical milestone towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.

However, Ms. Ekole cautioned against complacency. "Despite these commendable achievements, the HIV epidemic persists stubbornly," she noted, pointing to an adult HIV prevalence rate of 9.8% in 2025, placing Zimbabwe among the top 10 high HIV burden countries in the East and Southern Africa region.

Her remarks highlighted the path forward, emphasizing three profound truths that must guide the future response. "First, behind every statistic is a person with hopes, family, and dignity," she asserted. "Second, the people most affected are the experts of their own lives and must lead the response. And third, bold systems change—not just program tweaks—is required to end AIDS as a public health threat."

This human-centered approach means bringing care directly to people where they live and work, integrating essential services like mental health and gender-based violence support into HIV care. The recent funding disruptions, ironically, spurred innovations such as multi-month dispensing, community drug distribution, telehealth counseling, and HIV self-testing – all of which Ms. Ekole urged be scaled and institutionalized. "HIV thrives where inequity, exclusion, and violence persist," she stated, calling for renewed efforts to tackle poverty, gender inequality, and criminalization.

As part of the World AIDS Day, on the eve of World AIDS Day, a poignant gathering unfolded as Ms. Etona Ekole, the Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNICEF Representative, stood alongside the Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, the Minister of Health and Child Care, and local authorities at the National HIV Candlelight Memorial. The soft glow of candles illuminated the night, each flame a symbol of hope and remembrance, but also a solemn reminder of the ongoing battle against AIDS.

“As we lit the candle of hope,” Ms. Ekole declared, “we were reminded that AIDS is not over. Too many children are still missing out on treatment. We cannot be complacent — we must act with urgency for every child.” Her words resonated deeply with attendees, emphasizing the fight to ensure that every child has access to the care they need in this ongoing epidemic. As the night wrapped around the gathering, it became clear that the candlelight memorial was not just a tribute to those lost, but a rallying cry to continue the work still ahead.

Meanwhile, in an act of solidarity and renewal, Ms. Ekole also took part in a tree-planting ceremony at Mzingwane High School, a gesture symbolizing both growth and hope for future generations. Each tree planted served as a commitment not just to the fight against HIV/AIDS, but to a brighter, healthier future for the children and youth of the community. 

Looking ahead, Ms. Ekole issued a rallying call for sustainable financing, emphasizing the critical role of domestic investment and the efficient use of funds. While commending the Government of Zimbabwe's commitment to health in the 2026 National Budget, she acknowledged the projected 30% drop in overall development assistance for 2026. "This underscores the urgent need for increased local investment and efficient use of funds, while international partners must continue mobilizing predictable resources." 

Ms. Ekole expressed her gratitude to the US Government for its recent announcement of renewed support for the HIV response, a critical lifeline in the ongoing fight against the epidemic. She implored donor partners to continue their support, warning, "Disrupting HIV services risks reversing the gains achieved over the past four decades." Ms. Ekole cautioned, emphasizing the fragility of progress made and the urgent need for continuous support to safeguard the health and well-being of communities affected by HIV. Her remarks served as a stark reminder that the fight against this persistent challenge requires consistent dedication and collective action from all stakeholders involved.

"Let us make history by ensuring Zimbabwe ends AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 because we acted swiftly and with unity of purpose," Ms. Ekole concluded, her words imbued with both urgency and optimism. "Overcoming disruptions is not simply restoring the status quo. It is an opportunity to redesign our systems so that the next shock does not undo our progress."

As the event drew to a close, Maria Ncube, among the many faces in the crowd, felt a renewed sense of hope. Her personal journey, once precarious, now seemed anchored by the collective commitment articulated by Ms. Ekole. The future of the AIDS response in Zimbabwe, though still challenging, is being redefined not just by statistics and policies, but by the unwavering spirit of its people and the resolute determination to leave no one behind. "Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is within our grasp," Ms. Ekole reiterated, "It demands urgency, solidarity, commitment, and courage. Let us get the job done.”