Two Generations, One Battle: Global Fund’s Role in...

Two Generations, One Battle: Global Fund’s Role in Zim’s ARV Success

Michael Gwarisa

When Otilia Tasikasni learned she was HIV positive in 1991, she believed her life was over. The diagnosis then was not just a medical statement; it was a countdown.

Doctors told her she had only two or three years to live, and every day felt like borrowed time.

“At one point, all I would think of was dying,” recalls the 59-year-old, her voice steady but her eyes betraying memories of that period.

“Even though I was not sick then or showing any signs of illness, I was just waiting for my day to come… but the day never came.”

At the time, there was no antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe. For years, Otilia remained healthy, but in 2004 her condition worsened, and she was also diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

She completed TB treatment before finally starting ARVs, a lifeline made possible through the Global Fund’s support to Zimbabwe’s HIV programme.

Today, Otilia has watched her children grow, seen her grandchildren born, and lived decades beyond the expiry date once stamped on her life.

In Bindura, Mashonaland Central, 33-year-old Loyce Maturu’s experience with HIV is different. Diagnosed at the age of 12 with both HIV and TB, she began treatment immediately, a privilege her elder never had.

Her journey, however, began in loss. In 2000, she lost both her mother and younger brother to AIDS-related illnesses within the same week. Soon after, she fell seriously ill and was taken in by an aunt who ensured she received care.

Initially, her diagnosis was kept from her, but with the help of Global Fund-supported health workers, her aunt eventually disclosed the truth.

When I found out, I thought I would die just like my mom and brother,” she says. “I lost all confidence. I never thought I would finish school, have a family, or get a job. But thanks to the Global Fund, I accessed TB and HIV treatment, and today my life is full.”

Mr. Itai Rusike, the GFAN focal person in Zimbabwe poses for a photo with Otilia Tasikani and Edinah Masiiwa a renowned health advocate and feminist

Loyce is now married, a mother to two HIV-negative children, a university graduate, and holds a stable job. She says living with HIV is not without its challenges. “It is not easy taking medication every day, but I am committed to it because I know what is at stake for me and my children,” she says.

“I am proud to say I am one of the 65 million lives saved by the Global Fund.”

From Otilia’s struggle in an era when HIV meant certain death to Loyce’s life shaped by early intervention and consistent treatment, their experiences underline a shared truth: access to ARVs transforms HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition.

This progress is something the Ministry of Health and Child Care says it is determined to safeguard. Early this year, many countries suffered setbacks in their HIV programmes following the cessation of United States government funding for the majority of HIV initiatives. Zimbabwe, however, has managed to maintain adequate drug stocks through the AIDS Levy and other contributions.

“We made orders using two companies to provide more ARVs. Those stocks are now in place to cover us up to the end of the year,” said Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglass Mombeshora.

He added that while some batches had already landed in Zimbabwe, others were still being delivered, and steps were underway to procure additional stocks in advance to take the country through to the first half of 2026.

These stories and commitments are part of a nationwide transformation made possible by sustained investment in HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Behind every life saved is a network of health workers, community advocates, and international partners working together to sustain Zimbabwe’s HIV response.

It is this collective effort that the Global Fund Advocates Network seeks to protect.

Across Africa, GFAN is uniting community voices and civil society organisations to ensure the Global Fund remains fully funded. The goal is to save 23 million more lives and prevent 400 million new HIV infections by 2029.

Itai Rusike, Global Fund Advocates Network focal person in Zimbabwe, with HIV advocate Otilia Tasikani and feminist health activist Edinah Masiiwa

Mr. Itai Rusike, GFAN’s focal person, says the movement is rallying governments, philanthropies, and civil society to mobilise resources for the Fund’s 8th Replenishment. This, he explains, is essential to maintaining gains in HIV prevention and treatment so that no generation faces the uncertainty Otilia once knew.

“Sixty-four million lives have been saved since the year 2000 through the Global Fund’s support across the world. Now we are saying, as we move forward for the 8th replenishment, we are aiming to save at least 23 million lives,” said Mr. Rusike.

Formed in 2011, GFAN brings together voices from across the continent in support of a fully funded Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Through its One World, One Fight campaign, members are using fabric art to highlight the Fund’s impact and remind the world that investing in lifesaving antiretroviral drugs is an investment in the greater good.

“You find that the majority of people who are on treatment are not paying anything. Yes, there are other out-of-pocket costs, such as diagnostic and transport costs, but at least you are guaranteed you are getting the medicine. However, we are saying all that could be lost in the blink of an eye if we do not have a fully funded Global Fund.”

Other European countries have already pledged towards the Global Fund 8th replenishment. Spain and Luxembourg came together at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, to jointly announce increased commitments to the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment.

Spain pledged €145 million, and Luxembourg pledged €13.8 million – both marking an increase over their respective commitments at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment in 2022.

These contributions will support low- and middle-income countries to accelerate progress against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria during the 2027-2029 implementation period.

By enabling locally driven, lifesaving programs and reinforcing resilient and sustainable health systems, the increased funding will also strengthen global health security and preparedness for future threats.

In Zimbabwe, GFAN has been instrumental in mobilising political commitment from the highest office to maintain, and ideally increase, the government’s current US$1 million contribution to the Fund.

The network also works to maximise the impact of health investments and advance the right to health by uniting community and civil society voices.

The Global Fund has significantly contributed to Zimbabwe’s ARV programme, investing in prevention, testing, and treatment services, including the procurement of ARVs for individuals living with HIV.

Since 2009, the Global Fund has contributed over US$1.61 billion to the fight against HIV in the country and US$1.9 billion for all grants.

UNDP is supporting the delivery of the Global Fund’s NFM 3 (2021–2023) of more than US$481 million in Zimbabwe.