Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care has said the country has the capacity and systems in place to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ensure continued HIV care for Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
Zimbabwe has about 1.23 million people on ART, representing around 95 per cent of people living with HIV.
In a statement issued on Tuesday 25 August, the ministry said it is able to provide ART and maintain HIV care for returning clients.
The statement was issued in response to a newspaper report on 5 August 2026 which claimed that Zimbabweans fleeing xenophobia in South Africa were struggling to access HIV medication back home.
“Health services have been established at points of entry, including the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre, to screen returnees and identify those requiring medical attention,” reads the statement.
“Screening includes HIV and other chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as signs and symptoms of communicable diseases.
“Clients requiring further assessment or treatment are referred for appropriate care.
“As of 24 August 2026, Beitbridge had cumulatively screened 42,501 Government-assisted and self-repatriated returnees, demonstrating the scale of the ongoing health response at the point of entry.
“Importantly, no death has been recorded at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre, and the health screening, referral and treatment-support services remain operational.”
The ministry said returning Zimbabweans living with HIV who have interrupted treatment or arrive without medication are identified and assessed by health workers.
It said that where clinically appropriate, they are given an immediate treatment bridge and linked to a health facility in their home district for continued ART, clinical assessment and monitoring.
“The emergency supply provided at the point of entry is therefore a bridge to ensure continuity of treatment, and not a substitute for long-term ART services,” reads the statement.
“The health response at Beitbridge is supported by Government and partners, with medicines, health personnel, referral services and other essential health support available to address the needs of returning clients.
“The Ministry further wishes to assure the public that returning Zimbabweans living with HIV can be accommodated within the country’s established ART programme.”
The ministry said the return of citizens from South Africa does not mean they are without access to HIV treatment in Zimbabwe, adding that returning Zimbabweans living with HIV are integrated into the national ART programme and will continue to receive treatment and care through the country’s established health system.
“The Ministry acknowledges that individual patients may have experienced treatment interruptions before or during their return,” the Ministry said.
“These cases are taken seriously and are addressed through the established screening, referral and continuity-of-care mechanisms.”
