USA to End Health Funding Programmes in Zimbabwe

[Yesha]

The United States will end its health funding programmes in Zimbabwe at the end of September 2026 after Zimbabwe declined to sign a proposed new health agreement.

The agreement would have introduced a cost-sharing arrangement between the two governments over time. US Ambassador Pamela Tremont said the US respects Zimbabwe’s decision but cannot continue funding the programmes without the agreement.

The US is now working with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health on the handover of the programmes.

For more than two decades, US support has included HIV medicines, health-worker funding, condoms and family-planning services.

According to the figures cited, 97% of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are receiving treatment, and 96% of people on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

Zimbabwe rejected the proposed agreement last year. Some Zimbabwean officials alleged that the US sought access to health data and minerals in exchange for funding, although reports cited in the original account said the available documents did not support those claims.