By Thandiwe Garusa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has assured the nation that Zimbabwe has a sufficient supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to meet national needs until the end of 2025.

This comes at a time there is hoarding of ARVs triggered by panic over fears that Zimbabwe may be unable to provide HIV medication following the partial cessation of United States funding towards HIV/ AIDS programmes.

Some patients are reportedly bribing nurses to receive six-month allocations of ARVs, with nurses allegedly taking advantage of patients’ fears.

Addressing a press conference Friday, Mombeshora said the country currently holds an eight-month supply of adult ARVs and a four-month supply of paediatric ARVs.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care manages medicine supplies using a minimum and maximum inventory control system—14 months being the maximum stock level and 8 months the minimum.

“As previously communicated, ARV medicines are well-stocked, and there is no risk of stockouts across all treatment regimens.

“Adult first-line ARVs:  Eight months of stock available.

“Paediatric first-line ARVs: The Ministry is phasing out older formulations while introducing a new fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicine. The outgoing formulations currently have four months of stock remaining, with shipments of the improved triple Fixed Dose Combination expected in July, providing an additional five months of stock.

“Our antiretroviral therapy (ART) medicine requirements for 2025 are fully funded,” Mombeshora said.

Despite earlier delays in partner-supported shipments caused by a US Government Stop Work Order, Mombeshora said the ministry managed to mobilise resources to avoid disruptions.

“While some partner-supported shipments experienced delays earlier this year due to the issuance of a Stop Work Order from the US Government, we responded swiftly and decisively.

“Through the National AIDS Council (NAC), we mobilised domestic resources to close the gap and ensure an uninterrupted supply of life-saving medications, safeguarding the progress we have made toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.”

An estimated 1.2 million Zimbabweans are living with HIV.