Harare, Zimbabwe — Prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono has brokered a deal with a British pharmaceutical company to provide life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to Zimbabweans for just £5 per month.
This humanitarian gesture, which covers only the company’s administrative fees, comes after the abrupt cessation of American aid funding for ARVs, leaving over 1.3 million Zimbabweans living with HIV at risk.
Chin’ono confirmed he had contacted the Zimbabwean Permanent Secretary for Health to expedite the offer and prevent delays. Leading HIV specialist Professor Rati Ndhlovu has warned that without immediate action, “Zimbabweans carrying the virus will die.”
The deal is seen as a lifeline amid growing fears of corruption. Chin’ono made the offer public to prevent exploitation by “tenderpreneurs” who have been known to inflate prices for personal gain. “We cannot let this crisis be exploited for profit. Zimbabweans should not die from AIDS when a solution is available,” he said.
The crisis underscores the fragile state of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, with clinics and hospitals already struggling to secure alternative supplies. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, which is often fatal.
Chin’ono’s move has drawn widespread praise, but experts caution that bureaucratic delays could derail the deal. Families are being urged to check with their clinics about ongoing medication availability.
As Zimbabwe faces mounting economic and healthcare challenges, Chin’ono’s efforts offer hope, but swift action is essential to ensure this opportunity saves lives.
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