Developing: Zim HIV drug shortage spills into Parliament

Mirirai Nsingo

People living with HIV in Zimbabwe on Thursday petitioned Parliament over a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs at State-run health institutions.

Fears abound that this shortage could lead to a high default rate and medical complications.

Since 2018, the Zimbabwe Government has not been contributing US$6 million yearly towards ARV drug procurement and this has blocked US$400 million from the Global Fund.

Global Fund is the major funder of Zimbabwe’s HIV programmes, catering for over 70 percent of the budget while other partners contribute 10 percent.

The remainder comes from Government through the Aids levy.

Roughly 1, 2 million people in Zimbabwe are on anti-retroviral treatment.

Of these, 700 000 benefit from the Global Fund Art programme.

Zimbabwe Aids Network chairperson Talent Jumo told ZTN News, “Stocks are very low at the moment and it will be disastrous if no action is taken soon.”

Gumiso Bonzo said he and other people living with HIV were getting cheaper supplies from Zambia.