Zimbabwe has seen a rise in the number of HIV-related deaths in the first six months of 2025. Between January and June, health officials reported 5,932 deaths, which is 220 more than during the same period in 2024.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora shared this information in Parliament during a Q&A session. He was responding to a question from MP Corban Madzivanyika, who asked about the increase in deaths. The data presented by the minister led to concerns among lawmakers.
Some members of Parliament worry that reduced support from international donors might be limiting access to HIV treatment. MP Madzivanyika specifically asked if cuts in funding were making it harder for people to get life-saving HIV medicine.
However, Minister Mombeshora said that funding is not the main reason for the rise in deaths. He explained that all the needed HIV drugs had already been bought before any budget changes happened.
He also noted that the country has enough antiretroviral medication to last until September, and more supplies are expected before the year ends. The minister asked people not to jump to conclusions, saying that full reviews of HIV death rates usually come at the end of the year.
Still, opposition lawmakers like MPs Discent Bajila and Ropafadzo Makumire asked for more answers and wanted to know if other factors could be causing more deaths.
The session’s Temporary Speaker, Joe Tshuma, supported the minister’s comments. He said it would be wrong to blame the rise in deaths on changes in donor funding, since the time period being discussed came before the funding was affected.
Zimbabwe has had funding problems in the past, especially during the Trump era when U.S. support was reduced. Even with those issues, the country has made progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. These aim for most people living with HIV to know their status, be on treatment, and have the virus suppressed.
Health officials say they are keeping a close watch on the situation. According to the Health Ministry, there are still enough HIV medicines available for all patients currently in treatment across Zimbabwe.
