Expanded Support Programme

The Expanded Support Programme (ESP) which is in its fifth year of implementation, was designed to scale up the national HIV and AIDS response in line with the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP 2006 -2010).  To date this programme has:

• Put 72,000 people on ART nationally;
• Averted new HIV infections through improved health seeking behaviour of communities;
• Created an enabling environment where HIV and AIDS  issues including gender  issues can be discussed openly;
• Helped reverse some cultural barriers related to sex and reproductive health activities affecting  communities, families and individuals.                                                           
• Sustained the national Monitoring and Evaluation system
• Helped retain the health workforce from about 30% of establishment in 2008 to about 70% in 2010, through its 4.5 million USD support for the retention scheme for health workers
• The capacity of health workers to manage HIV and AIDS related illnesses has improved in the 16 target districts as well as contributing to the decline in HIV prevalence in the country to 13.7% (2009 estimates).

The Expanded Support Programme has contributed a total of USD80 million over the five years of implementation to the HIV and AIDS response. The Programme is financed by a  Common Fund supported by five bilateral donors namely, CIDA, DFID, Irish Aid, Norway and Sida (70% of funding coming in from DFID). It is implemented through UN agencies working in partnership with national authorities and NGOs.   UNDP is the Fund Administrator for the Common Fund.

For more information about the ESP programme view or download documents below.