Zimbabwe uses domestic AIDS Levy to sustain HIV programs

Zimbabwe is using the National AIDS Trust Fund to maintain its HIV and AIDS programs as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on unpredictable international aid. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora explained that the government relies on this domestic financing to ensure predictable funding and national ownership of its health initiatives.

The National AIDS Trust Fund, also known as the AIDS Levy, provides dedicated money for national HIV priorities through an annual work plan and budget.

The ministry says about 50% of these resources go toward treatment, care, and support, while 12% fund prevention programs. The remaining money covers logistics, coordination, and monitoring to deliver health services. Dr Mombeshora stated that these domestic funds fill critical gaps while working alongside the national Treasury and international development partners. The government monitors how it spends this money through tools like National AIDS Spending Assessments and the Integrated Results-Based Management framework.

These systems link budget use to specific service delivery targets to ensure that funds result in measurable health improvements. Zimbabwe also uses a multisectoral approach that involves local authorities, civil society, and the private sector to coordinate policy and implementation at the provincial and district levels. Zimbabwe recently hosted a Tanzanian delegation to share knowledge about these domestic financing mechanisms.

Dr Mombeshora said the two countries can exchange lessons on managing HIV programs while noting that funding models cannot be directly copied due to different economic conditions. The minister emphasized that domestic financing is meant to complement, rather than replace, international cooperation in the fight against HIV and AIDS.