AHF to Expand HIV Prevention and Treatment Support as Zimbabwe Targets Zero New Infections

World AIDS Day 2025…

By Evans Taurai Jona

ZIMUNYA – AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) National Medical Director Dr. Sandra Bote says the organisation will significantly expand its support for Zimbabwe’s HIV response in 2026, aiming to eradicate new infections and widen access to equitable healthcare across the country.

Speaking to Post On Sunday on the sidelines of the World AIDS Day 2025 commemorations held at Zimunya High School on Friday, Dr. Bote said AHF remains committed to strengthening prevention, treatment and differentiated care as Zimbabwe consolidates progress toward epidemic control.

“I am honoured and privileged to be part of these commemorations in Zimunya,” she said. “Each first day of December, AHF joins the world in raising awareness on HIV and AIDS. We call upon everyone to step up efforts and ensure equitable healthcare access for all, without discrimination.”

Dr. Bote reaffirmed AHF’s solidarity with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National AIDS Council (NAC) and supporting partners, noting that World AIDS Day is not only a moment of reflection but also an opportunity for collective action. She said Zimbabwe’s achievements toward the 95-95-95 global targets have been realised through consistent investment in HIV testing, pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, condom distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision and targeted interventions for adolescent girls, young women, sex workers, men and other vulnerable groups.

She emphasized that Zimbabwe’s progress did not happen by chance, but through resilience, innovation and collaboration between communities, health workers and government departments. Dr. Bote also echoed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for continued multi-stakeholder involvement as the country works toward achieving epidemic control by 2030.

Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Bote revealed that AHF will more than double its programme coverage, increasing the number of supported sites from around 27 to 45 nationwide. She said this expansion will allow AHF to reach significantly more clients and strengthen the country’s HIV response. The organisation plans to extend its support to all tertiary and provincial hospitals, scale down to district hospitals and city clinics, establish more centres of excellence, enhance HIV testing and treatment capacity, and work closely with the Ministry of Health to improve training for healthcare workers. She added that AHF will also intensify its HIV prevention efforts, including supporting the rollout of the long-acting preventive drug Lenacapavir.

Dr. Bote noted that this year’s commemorations, held under the theme “Overcoming Disruptions and Transforming the AIDS Response,” reflect Zimbabwe’s national character and determination to overcome challenges. She said the country’s continued progress depends on collective effort, community engagement and sustained partnerships.

AHF’s expanded support is expected to play a major role in Zimbabwe’s efforts to eliminate new HIV infections and secure universal access to prevention, treatment and care in the years ahead.