US Health Programmes In Zimbabwe Set To End On 30 September After MoU Rejected

By Staff Reporter
The United States is set to end its health assistance programmes in Zimbabwe on 30 September 2026 after the Zimbabwean government declined to sign a proposed bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont confirmed the development, saying Washington respected Zimbabwe’s decision while stressing that the two countries had worked together on health programmes for more than two decades.

The US-supported programmes have focused heavily on HIV prevention and treatment, as well as broader health-system support.

“For more than two decades, the United States and Zimbabwe have worked together to strengthen health systems and expand access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment,” Tremont said.

According to the ambassador, the partnership contributed to Zimbabwe recording significant progress in controlling the HIV epidemic.

She said 97% of people living with HIV knew their status, while 98% of those diagnosed were receiving antiretroviral treatment and 96% of people on treatment had achieved viral suppression.

US-supported health interventions have included the provision of antiretroviral drugs, HIV prevention medication, condoms, family planning services and support for health workers.

### Zimbabwe Rejects Proposed Health Agreement

The decision to terminate the programmes follows Zimbabwe’s rejection of a new bilateral health MoU proposed by Washington.

Tremont said the United States had changed its approach to international health assistance, including a greater emphasis on recipient countries contributing financially to programmes.

“With Zimbabwe’s decision to decline a bilateral health MOU, U.S.-supported health programs will conclude at the end of September,” she said.

The ambassador said the US Embassy would work with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care to facilitate what she described as a responsible handover of programmes and services.

### US Shifts Focus To Trade And Investment

Despite the withdrawal of health funding, Tremont said the development would not bring US-Zimbabwe relations to an end.

Instead, she said Washington would place greater emphasis on economic cooperation, trade and investment.

“The U.S.-Zimbabwe relationship now pivots: from one largely focused on health and humanitarian assistance, to one built on broader economic, trade and investment opportunities,” Tremont said.

The end of the US-supported health programmes is expected to mark a major change in the nature of bilateral assistance between Washington and Harare, after years of American support for Zimbabwe’s HIV response and wider health system.

This version avoids the original headline's broader claim that **“all health funding”** is ending and instead focuses on the specific US-supported programmes confirmed in the report.