The United States Embassy in Zimbabwe has called on the Zimbabwean government to take greater responsibility for the health of its citizens following the suspension of U.S. foreign assistance programs for review.
The pause, announced under President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, is part of a broader review initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The review aims to ensure all foreign assistance programs are efficient and aligned with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda.
“At this moment, in order to do a thorough review, all programs and grants without a waiver approved by the Secretary of State using foreign assistance funding are
paused,” the embassy said in a statement issued Thursday.
The U.S. highlighted Zimbabwe’s achievements in fighting HIV, noting the country had met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those treated to achieve viral suppression.
“It is time for Zimbabwe to take seriously its responsibility for the health of its people. For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets. They urgently need to be focused on buying ART and getting nurses in clinics. They can do this,” the statement read.
The embassy emphasized the importance of self-reliance in addressing public health challenges, particularly in ensuring the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and staffing clinics with healthcare professionals.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with an economic crisis that has strained public health systems, leaving many clinics understaffed and underfunded.
