Doctors Urge Dialogue After US Health Aid Withdrawal

The Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians (ZCPHP) has called for constructive engagement between Harare and Washington after the collapse of negotiations on a proposed bilateral health agreement. In a statement, the College said it had “taken note of the recent communication regarding the discontinuation of negotiations on the proposed bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Zimbabwe and the United States Government, as well as the subsequent statement from the United States Embassy indicating the potential winding down of health assistance”. The professional body said it respects the Government of Zimbabwe’s duty to protect national sovereignty and ensure that international agreements align with national interests.

“At the same time, we also acknowledge the significant progress Zimbabwe has made in strengthening its health system,” read the statement The College highlighted the recruitment of additional nurses and frontline health workers as having reinforced primary healthcare delivery. It also pointed to Zimbabwe’s achievement of the UNAIDS 95:95:95 HIV targets as evidence of “strong national leadership, sustained domestic commitment and years of effective collaboration with development partners”. “These achievements represent important national public health gains,” the College said.

However, ZCPHP cautioned that key elements of Zimbabwe’s HIV and infectious disease response still depend partly on external financing particularly from United States government flagship programmes such as PEPFAR. It noted that antiretroviral medicines, laboratory commodities, disease surveillance systems and supply chain support remain vulnerable to sudden funding changes. “An abrupt discontinuation of such support could risk treatment interruption, increased transmission, the emergence of drug resistance, and additional strain on the health system,” the College warned.