Zimbabwe Requests Flexible Funding From Global Fund

Why this is here: Zimbabwe reached its 95-95-95 HIV targets, meaning 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

In Geneva, Switzerland, Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora met with Global Fund officials to discuss the next grant cycle and a transition in funding approaches.

Zimbabwe seeks greater flexibility in managing the roughly $413 million approved for its eighth grant cycle, particularly regarding health commodities and support for local health workers. The country has reached its 95-95-95 targets for HIV treatment but continues to address challenges in pediatric HIV care.

Zimbabwe also hopes to consolidate funding for tuberculosis, malaria, and health systems strengthening into a single grant. While the country demonstrates progress in malaria elimination—over half of rural districts are at the elimination stage—climate change and cyclones continue to cause periodic increases in cases. Zimbabwe aims to directly manage Global Fund grants as it moves away from the Additional Safeguard Policy, while also improving health worker conditions through the Health Service Commission.

The Global Fund acknowledged Zimbabwe’s strong performance but emphasized the need for efficient spending amid a constrained global health financing landscape. Work continues to address health worker migration and maintain program effectiveness.