The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) issued a communiqué on Sunday, October 25, demanding the immediate and unconditional removal of unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, saying the measures could disrupt health financing and deny patients essential care.

The statement backs an appeal made two days earlier by African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, which called for the removal of sanctions targeting Zimbabwean institutions and individuals.

Africa CDC warned that barriers to health financing and legitimate financial transactions could complicate procurement of medical supplies, raise costs and undermine access to essential health products and services.

Director General Jean Kaseya emphasized that health must never become collateral damage in political disputes and that no patient should be denied life‑saving care because of financing or procurement barriers.

The agency also called on governments, international partners, financial institutions and suppliers to facilitate legitimate health financing, procurement and technical cooperation in response to the African Union’s appeal.

The African Union noted that sanctions have restricted Zimbabwe’s access to international financial systems, discouraged foreign investment, increased business costs and limited development assistance, undermining the country’s Vision 2030 and broader continental development agendas.