Addressing
a
media
workshop
on
HIV
reporting
and
stigma
reduction
in
the
capital
Harare,
Mombeshora
stated
that
between
January
and
June
2025,
the
country
recorded
5,932
AIDS-related
deaths,
up
from
5,712
during
the
same
period
last
year.
“An
increase
of
220
deaths
is
a
reminder
that
our
work
is
not
done,”
he
said,
without
specifying
the
main
cause
behind
the
rise.
The
minister
noted
that
while
Zimbabwe
has
made
significant
strides
in
combating
HIV/AIDS
—
particularly
in
achieving
the
UNAIDS
95-95-95
targets
—
the
gains
remain
fragile
and
are
threatened
by
multiple
challenges,
including
limited
resources,
stigma,
and
discrimination.
“As
a
nation,
we
must
confront
these
realities
with
honesty
and
resolve.
Addressing
stigma
and
discrimination
is
not
only
a
moral
obligation;
it
is
a
public
health
imperative,”
he
said.
Zimbabwe
is
now
seeking
to
transition
to
full
domestic
financing
for
its
HIV
and
AIDS
response
amid
declining
external
funding,
Mombeshora
said.
During
this
transition,
the
country
is
facing
difficulties
in
maintaining
outreach
staff
and
ensuring
continuity
of
community-based
services,
according
to
a
report
by
Xinhua.
Operational
adjustments
are
being
made
to
safeguard
service
delivery,
he
added,
stressing
the
need
for
innovation,
stronger
domestic
partnerships,
and
a
resilient,
self-sustaining
national
response
to
the
epidemic.
According
to
the
World
Health
Organization
(WHO),
HIV
(human
immunodeficiency
virus)
attacks
the
body’s
immune
system,
specifically
the
white
blood
cells,
weakening
the
body’s
defense
against
infections
and
diseases.
If
untreated,
HIV
can
progress
to
AIDS
(acquired
immunodeficiency
syndrome),
the
most
advanced
stage
of
the
infection.
HIV
is
transmitted
through
body
fluids
such
as
blood,
semen,
vaginal
fluids,
and
breast
milk,
and
can
also
be
passed
from
mother
to
child.
It
is
not
spread
through
casual
contact
like
kissing,
hugging,
or
sharing
food.
The
disease
can
be
prevented
and
managed
through
antiretroviral
therapy
(ART).
Without
treatment,
HIV
can
take
years
to
develop
into
AIDS.
Source:
Zimbabwe
records
5,932
AIDS-related
deaths
in
first
half
of
2025:
Health
Minister