By Health Reporter- he government has announced that over 20,000 health workers have been affected by recent funding cuts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that has dealt a major blow to Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora said the government is mobilizing resources to absorb these workers—who include doctors, nurses, and village health workers—into the public payroll. Many of them were previously funded by USAID and partner organizations, playing a crucial role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The funding cuts stem from an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration drastically reduced aid to Africa, prioritizing domestic policies and shifting global funding commitments.
Trump’s foreign aid policies significantly affected health programs across the continent, including PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which had been a lifeline for millions of HIV-positive patients in Zimbabwe.
Massive Job Losses, Government Intervention
Over 1,000 doctors and nurses who specialized in treating opportunistic infections are among those affected, while nearly 19,000 village health workers, who were instrumental in providing primary healthcare in rural communities, have also lost financial support. At least 15,000 of these workers relied on payments from partner organizations.
Speaking at last week’s Ministers Meet the Media briefing, Mombeshora assured the public that Treasury is working on solutions to integrate the affected workers into government employment. He stated:
“We, as the Ministry of Health, have already planned to take over all health workers under the ministry’s employment.There were accountability issues because some health workers employed by NGOs and partners had unclear reporting structures. At times, when they were absent, we didn’t know their whereabouts.”
“We had already started discussions last year to ensure all workers in the health system fall under the Ministry of Health. If partners wish to assist, they can provide top-ups, but all employees must belong to the ministry.”
Mombeshora emphasized that the government is committed to expanding its healthcare workforce, aligning with Zimbabwe’s target of doubling its health personnel by 2030.
ARV Supplies Secure—For Now
Despite the funding cuts, the minister reassured the public that Zimbabwe has sufficient stocks of antiretroviral (ARV) medication to last until June 2025. However, shipments intended to cover the latter half of the year have been suspended, creating uncertainty.
“We cannot wait for the outcome of the 90-day review process before acting. In terms of service delivery for those on HIV and AIDS treatment, there will be no disruption. No one should be scared or worried,”Mombeshora said.
The USAID funding cuts highlight the lasting impact of Trump-era policies on Africa’s health sector, forcing governments like Zimbabwe’s to scramble for solutions to keep critical programs running.