The United States of America has expressed regret over the Government of Zimbabwe’s decision to withdraw from negotiations on a proposed bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would have provided $367 million in health assistance to Zimbabwe over five years.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, said in a statement that the partnership would have brought substantial gains for communities in Zimbabwe, especially for the people getting HIV treatment through programs backed by the US.
“We believe this collaboration would have delivered extraordinary benefits for Zimbabwean communities— especially the 1.2 million men, women, and children currently receiving HIV treatment through U.S.-supported programs,” she said.
Tremont pointed out that the proposed MOU would have been the biggest health investment in Zimbabwe by any international partner, with a co-funding model aimed at ensuring sustainability and paving the way for Zimbabwe to become self-reliant.
The MOU asked Zimbabwe to gradually increase its own health funding alongside US support, building on more than $1.9 billion in US health support to Zimbabwe since 2006.
Tremont also noted that the US has a responsibility to American taxpayers to invest their resources where mutual accountability, transparency, and shared commitment are assured.
The decision for Zimbabwe’s withdrawal from the MOU means that US health aid to the country will be phased out, a move Tremont described as “difficult and regrettable”.
