HUMAN rights doctors have expressed grave concern following recent developments regarding Zimbabwe’s position on health assistance from the United States.
In a statement yesterday, the rights doctors said their primary concern “is the protection of life, continuity of care, and the progressive realisation of the right to health” as guaranteed under Section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Said the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR): “We recognise that governments have the sovereign responsibility to determine the terms under which international assistance is received.
“Concerns relating to conditionalities, policy autonomy and data protection are legitimate matters for state consideration.
“Zimbabwe, like all nations, has the right to ensure that external partnerships align with national priorities and constitutional principles.”
They said it is critical that any policy decisions regarding international health support safeguard continuity of care for patients currently receiving treatment.
“Zimbabwe’s HIV programme has made significant progress over the years, including achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.
“These gains reflect sustained effort by government, health workers, communities, and international partners.
- Govt dangles US$90 incentive for maize
- Grain farmers priced out of fields
- Proposed raids on grain farmers raises stink
- Maize farmers plead for a 50% USD payment
Keep Reading
“Disruptions in financing, procurement, or service delivery risk reversing hard-won progress and placing lives at risk, particularly among vulnerable populations.”
ZADHR emphasised that health systems function best when stability, predictability, and adequate financing are maintained.
The organization said HIV treatment, tuberculosis management, maternal health services and laboratory systems require uninterrupted funding streams to ensure consistent access to medicines, diagnostics, and clinical follow-up.
“Patients on lifelong antiretroviral therapy cannot afford uncertainty in supply chains or programme implementation.
“We, therefore, call for measures that prioritise continuity of care regardless of the source of financing.
“Where external assistance is declined, clear transition plans, transparent financing mechanisms and publicly communicated safeguards should be put in place to prevent service disruption.”
The rights doctors said the current moment presents an opportunity to strengthen domestic health financing and reduce long-term dependency on external support.
“Zimbabwe has already demonstrated innovation through instruments such as the Aids levy, sugar tax and other health-related revenue measures.
“These mechanisms should be strengthened, fully ring-fenced, and transparently managed to ensure that funds collected for health are disbursed efficiently to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”
ZADHR said sustainable health financing requires long-term planning, accountability, and institutional integrity.
Investments in domestic resource mobilisation, efficient procurement systems, and strong oversight mechanisms are essential to protecting both public trust and public health outcomes, the organisation added.
“A resilient health system must ultimately be financed in a way that is nationally sustainable, equitable, and rights-compliant.
“ZADHR remains committed to advocating for the protection of patients, the independence of health professionals, and the strengthening of Zimbabwe’s health system.
“In all policy decisions, the health and dignity of the people of Zimbabwe must remain the central priority.”
