A coalition of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has accused the Zimbabwean government of failing to honour its promise to establish a dedicated NCD Fund, despite collecting millions of dollars through health-related taxes.
In a briefing titled “A Pandemic in Slow Motion: The Failure to Operationalise Zimbabwe’s Non-Communicable Diseases Fund”, advocacy group Champions Without Borders says the delay amounts to a constitutional violation.
Health Advocate Jacob Ngwenya said the NCD Fund was announced in the 2022 National Budget, with excise duties on cigarettes and energy drinks earmarked to finance prevention, treatment and care. However, five years on, patients say there is no evidence the fund is operational.
The group reports persistent shortages of essential medicines such as insulin, chemotherapy drugs and diagnostic services in public hospitals, forcing patients to pay out of pocket.
NCDs including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory diseases are now among Zimbabwe’s leading causes of disability and premature death. Advocates warn that disrupted treatment is pushing households deeper into poverty as families sell assets or forgo education to cover medical costs.
Campaigners argue the failure to operationalise the fund breaches Section 76 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to health care, including services for people with chronic illnesses.
Champions Without Borders has called on government to immediately activate the fund, urged Parliament to demand transparency and oversight, and appealed to the media and civil society to investigate the use of collected revenues.
“Zimbabwe recognised the NCD crisis, raised the money and made the promise,” the group said. “What is missing is accountability—and patients are paying the price.”
