Zimbabwe has reported an increase in HIV/AIDS-related deaths in the first half of 2025, with 5,932 fatalities recorded between January and June — 220 more than during the same period in 2024.
The data was revealed by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora during a parliamentary Q&A session on Wednesday, in response to a query from Kwekwe MP Corban Madzivanyika. The statistics raised concern among lawmakers, with some attributing the rise in mortality to possible reductions in international support for HIV/AIDS programs.
Madzivanyika specifically questioned whether recent donor withdrawals were compromising access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is critical for people living with HIV.
Minister Mombeshora, however, dismissed funding shortfalls as the primary factor behind the increase. “The current mortality figures don’t reflect funding shortages,” he said. “All essential medications were secured before any budget cuts were implemented.”
He further assured Parliament that Zimbabwe has sufficient antiretroviral drug supplies to last through September, with additional shipments expected before year-end. Mombeshora cautioned against drawing early conclusions, noting that a full analysis of HIV mortality trends is typically done annually.
Despite his reassurances, some opposition MPs, including Discent Bajila (Emakhandeni-Luveve) and Ropafadzo Makumire (Chiredzi Central), pressed for further investigation into other possible causes behind the spike in deaths.
Temporary Speaker Joe Tshuma supported Mombeshora’s position, stating it would be premature to link the increase to changes in international funding given the reporting timeline.
Zimbabwe has faced past funding challenges, such as a temporary suspension of U.S. aid during the Trump administration. Nonetheless, the country has made substantial progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals — aiming for 95% of people with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
The Ministry of Health says it continues to monitor the situation closely and maintains that ART remains available for all patients currently in treatment.
