The Government of Zimbabwe has continued to scale up the multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS based on the Zimbabwe National and HIV AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP) (2006-2010) that was launched in July 2006. This plan builds on lessons learnt in the implementation of the National AIDS Policy of 1999 and the National HIV and AIDS Framework (2000 -2004). The strategic plan continues to highlight HIV and AIDS as an emergency that requires Government and all stakeholders to urgently mobilize the required resources in order to fight the epidemic.

In addition to the political commitment, demonstrated through policy and national strategic frameworks, an enabling environment has also been created for HIV and AIDS advocacy. For instance the National Partnership Forum is a very active policy, advocacy and coordinating body, while the Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN) brings together 400 civil society organisations that are involved in HIV and AIDS programme implementation and advocacy.

Recognizing the need to move from awareness to action Zimbabwe has established a National Behavior Change Strategy (NBCS) covering the period 2006-2010. This plan provides guidance to all stakeholders on their contributions to behavior change promotion using key prevention elements such as condom use, reducing multiple partners and promoting faithfulness as a way of addressing root causes of risk behaviors.

The NBC strategy also encompasses a plan of scale up prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and strategies to reduce the incidence of HIV especially among young people aged 15-24 years.

Key Achievements

• The Zimbabwe National AIDS Council (NAC) was established in 1999 to coordinate and facilitate the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS
• The National Plan of Action for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (NAP FOR OVC) was launched in 2005 to guide the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe
• The National HIV and AIDS Policy for 1999-2004 was launched in 1998. It adopted all 12 International Human Rights Guidelines on HIV and spelt out key principles such as confidentiality, safe blood transmission, promotion of marital integrity, reduction of sexually transmitted infections, condoms and care for people with HIV
• The Zimbabwe Government declared HIV a national emergency in May 2003 paving the way for pharmaceutical companies to import generic drugs into the country
• The National Behavioral Change Strategy (NBCS) for the period 2006-2010 was launched in 2005. It aims at guiding systematic and strategic programming in the area of behavioral change promotion
• In early 2007 a plan of action was developed to incorporate male circumcision in the public health system

Key Challenges

• Low staff morale has negatively affected the health delivery system and the effective implementation of HIV programmes;
• Failure to receive funding from rounds 6 and 7 of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has further compromised efforts to strengthen the capacity of health systems
• A lack of comprehensive programmes to mitigate the impact of HIV on livelihoods has left communities unsupported.
• A failure to identify the key drivers of the epidemic and target key populations at higher risk has compromised planning on prevention
• The availability of medicines and supplies has been severely compromised by the shortage of foreign currency and the inability of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to keep up with hyperinflation
• The availability of emergency referrals and support to lower level health facilities as well as outreach mobile services have been compromised by inadequate vehicles, vehicle spare parts and fuel shortages

• National Strategic Plan
• Zimbabwe National Aids Council
• PMTCT and Peadiatric Care and Treatment Fact Sheet