The Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care has warned that Zimbabwe’s 2026 national health budget may undermine hard-won gains in child survival, maternal health, and HIV response due to severe underfunding and the expiry of several key donor programmes.

Presenting the 2026 Pre-Budget Report, Committee Chairperson Daniel Bajila said the Ministry of Health and Child Care submitted a bid of ZWL$85.3 billion but received only ZWL$24.2 billion—just 28 percent of its request. 

He said the shortfall would slow progress towards national health goals and delay efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

Bajila noted that while Zimbabwe has recorded improvements in reducing child mortality and expanding immunisation coverage, major public health challenges persist. 

He highlighted that 92 percent of women and 94 percent of men lack health insurance, while 23 percent of girls aged 15–19 have been pregnant.

Only 34 percent of women seek antenatal care during the first trimester, and 84 percent of the population relies on non-motorised transport to reach health facilities. 

Malnutrition remains widespread, with 27 percent of children stunted, 8 percent underweight, and 2 percent wasted. Mental health concerns are escalating, with 53 percent of women reporting anxiety and 8 percent reporting depression.

He warned that the budget comes at a time when donor support has significantly declined following the expiry of the Health Resilience Fund, threatening gains made in HIV, TB, and malaria control.

The Committee reported continued progress in several health indicators: under-five mortality now stands at 69 deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality at 56, and neonatal mortality at 37. Antenatal care coverage has reached 92 percent, while 68 percent of mothers and 79 percent of newborns received postnatal checks within two days. 

Seventy-two percent of children are fully vaccinated, and new HIV infections have dropped by 75 percent since 2010.

Bajila also commended improvements in health data systems, surveillance, and the ongoing modernisation of Parirenyatwa Hospital.

However, the Committee expressed concern that Zimbabwe’s health spending remains far below the Abuja Declaration’s 15 percent benchmark. Per capita health expenditure is just US$39, well beneath national targets. 

Bajila said 90 percent of the population remains without medical aid, resulting in high out-of-pocket health costs. He also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the use of sugar and fast-food taxes allocated for health promotion.

District hospitals continue to struggle with low budget absorption, and rural health centres are severely underfunded.

To address these challenges, the Committee called for the speedy finalisation of the National Health Insurance Scheme and increased investment in research and development, including traditional medicine. 

Bajila emphasised the need to tackle health worker migration, improve remuneration, strengthen infrastructure, drug supply chains, and emergency transport systems, and integrate climate resilience into health planning. He also urged improvements in nutrition, WASH services, and substance abuse interventions.

He further proposed establishing a Road Accidents Fund under the Health Ministry, citing the high medical costs associated with road traffic injuries.

Bajila said sustained investment is essential to protect Zimbabwe’s public health gains and ensure the resilience of the primary health care system in the years ahead.