Bulawayo is nearing HIV epidemic control, but health officials warn that progress is at risk as men continue to test positive at higher rates than women while remaining less likely to come forward for screening, according to theHIV and AIDS Response in 2025report. As a result, health experts say there is an urgent need for stronger outreach and support programmes aimed specifically at men to close this dangerous gap. According to the 2025 HIV and AIDS programme update presented by National AIDS Council (NAC) Programmes Officer Douglas Moyo, Bulawayo has largely met the globalUNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, an important milestone in the fight to end HIV and AIDS.
“Our programme data is showing that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 96% are virally suppressed,” said Moyo. “The province is close to achieving epidemic control. It means we are in progress.” As of the end of 2025, a total of 79 746 people were on ART in Bulawayo, most of them on first-line treatment.
HIV incidence has also declined from 13.2% in 2020 to 10.7% among those aged 15 to 49, aligning closely with national HIV estimates. However, beneath these gains lies a persistent gender imbalance that health officials said could undermine progress. Data shows that men have a higher HIV positivity rate of 5.4% compared to 3.4% among women.
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Yet women accounted for 73% of all HIV tests conducted in Bulawayo, highlighting a significant gap in male participation. “Men show higher testing yields but lower testing coverage,” Moyo said. “This is a cause for concern because it means many men are not accessing services, yet those who do are more likely to test positive.” The disparity becomes even more pronounced in older age groups. Among adults aged 35 to 54, men recorded HIV positivity rates ranging between nine percent and 12%, among the highest across all demographics.
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