ON Monday, the world commemorated World Aids Day 2025 under the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the Aids Response”.
Despite global funding challenges and service disruptions, Zimbabwe continues to demonstrate resilience and innovation in its HIV/Aids response. The country has sustained progress in prevention, treatment and community engagement.
Cimas Health group Tendai Gwangwara explained that World Aids Day is a global movement that seeks to raise awareness of HIV/Aids, commemorate the lives lost, celebrate the successes in HIV prevention and management and demonstrate international solidarity in the fight against the HIV/Aids pandemic.
He said he believes this year’s theme is especially relevant to Zimbabwe, a country that has faced funding disruptions but maintained service delivery through swift government intervention and community resilience.
“Zimbabwe experienced disruptions in medicine distribution, preventive services for key populations including access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and condoms, stigma and discrimination services, human resources disruptions affecting patient management and monitoring,” he explained.
However, he said the impact has been minimised due to the government’s quick intervention, adding that the ministry of Health and Child Care has continuously reassured the nation that it has procured enough medications to sustain HIV programmes and is exploring alternative funding methods.
Community-led initiatives have been instrumental in bridging gaps, especially in rural areas.
“These initiatives improve healthcare access and prevent new infections through education and psychosocial support,” Gwangwara said.
- Another ETF lists on ZSE
- In Full: sixteenth post-cabinet press briefing June 14, 2022
- Econet to use Buddie Beatz app to grow local music
- Edutainment mix: The artist in the child policy formulation context
Keep Reading
He highlighted the Zvandiri initiative as a standout example, saying it has created HIV and Aids support groups, which run mental health and protection services led by trained mentored peers, the Community Adolescents Treatment Supporters (CATS) and Young Mentor Mothers (YMM), who do home visits to fellow HIV-positive adolescents and young mothers.
He added that this leads to treatment adherence, improved clinical outcomes and reduced new infections.
Gwangwara went on to say youth engagement remains a priority. He said young people are being reached through social media campaigns, school-based HIV education, youth friendly clinics, peer educators and awareness events.
Education, he says, is central to reducing transmission, saying it helps people understand the transmission of HIV and the benefits of testing and initiating treatment.
“This helps shape behaviours that reduce transmission such as safe sex practices and improved adherence to treatment leading to higher rates of viral suppression,” Gwangwara added.
According to Unicef (2024), Zimbabwe has exceeded the global United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids) 95:95:95 targets by achieving 97% of people living with HIV aware of their status, over 95% on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and 96% of those on ART virally-suppressed.
Stigma and discrimination remain challenges, but Gwangwara emphasised the importance of confidentiality and respect in clinical practice.
“HIV management is integrated into the general services, which ensures that there is no labelling and separation of clients based on conditions. The consultation rooms are secure, private and spacious ensuring that proceedings are not heard elsewhere,” he said.
“The staff is adequately trained to maintain confidentiality, treat all patients equally with respect and avoid discrimination.”
Technological advances are also shaping the future of HIV prevention.
“On November 22, 2025 the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) announced the approval of Lenacapavir, an innovative long-acting medicine for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infections. Telehealth is also an important tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” he added.
Gwangwara went on to say international cooperation continues to play a vital role.
“Zimbabwe, just as many other countries, is supported by global partners such as WHO (World Health Organisation), Global Fund and PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief), who offer support through funding, technical expertise, essential medicines and diagnostics,” he said.
“They also assist with capacity building, protection for vulnerable populations, fostering of stronger health systems, data and monitoring support.”
To reach underserved populations, Zimbabwe has deployed mobile outreach clinics and trains village health workers. These strategies ensure access to HIV testing, counselling, medicine refills and viral load monitoring in remote areas.
While public awareness is high, misconceptions persist. Gwangwara said one of the commonest misconceptions he encounters in his practice is the idea that someone can see if another person is HIV-positive by looking at them.
“The reality is that most people who are HIV-positive, especially those on treatment, are completely healthy and HIV cannot be diagnosed based on appearance,” he pointed out.
Looking ahead, Gwangwara said the future of HIV prevention in Zimbabwe is exciting.
“These long-acting medicines are a game changer which will significantly improve outcomes due to better adherence. Telemedicine will also play a greater role in delivering HIV services, leading to greater access and better outcomes over the next decade,” he said.
Gwangwara added that he believes Zimbabwe’s success offers valuable lessons to other countries.
“High commitment from the government together with strategic partnerships with other stakeholders is of paramount importance. Securing community buy-in using village health workers and peer educators from the community ensures wider penetration of HIV programmes,” he said.
“Investing in community education through the local leadership, radio, church and schools is a game changer in the HIV response.”
Gwangwara’s motivation is rooted in both professional purpose and personal conviction.
“The results that I observe in my patients daily keep me going. I have patients, who were very ill when I first diagnosed them, who are now living healthy lives and have HIV-negative children who were born while the parents were HIV-positive but virally-supressed on ART.” he shared.
Gwangwara said Cimas is committed to complement the government and other stakeholders in the fight against HIV.
“Together, we can reduce new infections, break stigma and move closer to ending HIV/Aids in our country,” he added.
- The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo Wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — [email protected]/ WhatsApp: 0772 161 829/ phone 024-2773 0663.
