Zimbabwe's AIDS crisis deepens as COVID-19 cuts off support for vulnerable families

An 81-year-old Zimbabwean widow caring for two blind sons after losing three children to AIDS faces worsening hardship as COVID-19 restrictions cut off vital community support in Gokwe South, Midlands Province. The pandemic has compounded poverty for vulnerable families already devastated by HIV. Maritina Nyoni's children died before accessing antiretroviral treatment, leaving her family dependent on relatives and well-wishers. COVID-19 movement restrictions have halted food donations and aid visits, while economic fallout from the pandemic has strained relatives' ability to help, with one family forced to sell cattle amid disrupted markets. Zimbabwe has one of sub-Saharan Africa's highest HIV prevalence rates at 12.8%, with 1.4 million people living with HIV, though UNAIDS reports 1.4 million are now on treatment. Lack of disease awareness persists, as Nyoni's surviving son admits not understanding how AIDS kills, while COVID-19 has killed over 1,500 Zimbabweans.