Health Ministry Confirms ARV Stocks Safe Until 2026
The Ministry of Health has given a crucial update on Zimbabwe’s antiretroviral (ARV) supplies, assuring the nation that stocks will remain available and accessible to all who need them until the end of 2025.
Speaking in a detailed follow-up interview, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said proactive measures were taken in response to potential international disruptions, especially after a controversial executive order signed by US President Donald Trump in January 2025.
“As I have said previously, we began the year with sufficient ARV stocks to last until the end of June,” Dr Mombeshora said.
“Following the announcement of the executive order by the United States, the Government acted swiftly by placing new orders through two suppliers to close the anticipated gap.”
ZBC report that he added that the delivery process is already underway and will be completed within weeks.
“The stocks are now in place to cover us up to the end of the year, not yet completely delivered,” he explained.
“We started receiving the medicines about three or four weeks ago and we are hoping by the end of the first or second week of July, all deliveries will have been completed.”
Plans already in motion for 2026
Dr Mombeshora further revealed that preparations for next year’s supplies have already begun.
“We can assure the nation that we have enough stocks for ARVs up to the end of the year,” he stated.
“We are now working on a plan because we start procuring before they run out so that we also cover the next six months from January 2026 to June 2026.”
The reassurance has been welcomed by health practitioners and HIV support organisations who feared disruptions in treatment following global uncertainties.
Domestic funding key to stability
Zimbabwe’s continued access to ARVs is credited to its unique domestic financing mechanisms, primarily the AIDS Levy introduced in 1999, and the more recent SIN Tax on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods.
These funds, managed through the National AIDS Council (NAC) and the Ministry of Health, allow the country to procure essential HIV treatment medicines without over-reliance on foreign donors.
“The AIDS Levy and SIN Tax have empowered us with a degree of financial independence in sustaining our HIV programmes,” a senior NAC official told Health Report Zimbabwe.
Thanks to these local solutions, Zimbabwe has been able to maintain consistent ARV treatment programmes even as global uncertainties persist.
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The post Ministry Of Health Gives Crucial Update On Zimbabwe’s ARV Supplies appeared first on iHarare News.
