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South Africa Assures AIDS Drug Access Despite US Funding Cut [1]
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Date: 2025-05-09 11:48:19+02:00
South Africa’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted access to HIV-AIDS treatment, even after a major funding blow from the United States. Speaking in Cape Town, Deputy President Paul Mashatile told lawmakers that the national HIV-AIDS program remains fully funded for the current financial year and patients will continue to receive their medication.
This reassurance comes after President Donald Trump’s administration suspended the United States’ longstanding President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) in January — a move that left South Africa with a R7.5 billion ($414 million) gap in HIV program funding. Roughly 17% of the country’s HIV-AIDS support previously came from Pepfar.
“Despite the loss of US support, we have allocated funds through the National Treasury to ensure the continuity of antiretroviral treatment,” Mashatile said. “We are working to be self-sufficient as a country.”
South Africa carries the world’s largest HIV burden, with an estimated 7.8 million people — nearly 13% of the population — living with the virus that causes AIDS. For years, Pepfar funding helped bolster community health services, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized groups such as gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and sex workers.
However, concerns remain. Nonprofit groups warn that the effects of the funding cut are already being felt on the ground. Thousands of health workers have reportedly lost their jobs, and HIV testing and monitoring systems have significantly weakened.
“HIV-testing programs have all but collapsed,” wrote Professor Francois Venter, an HIV scientist formerly involved with Pepfar initiatives, in the health journal Spotlight. “Community monitoring systems have been turned off. HIV data systems are dark. ARV supply chains are faltering.”
Deputy President Mashatile acknowledged these challenges and confirmed that efforts are underway to secure employment for health workers previously funded by Pepfar. Discussions are also being held to source more affordable HIV medications and replace lost research funding.
A task team led by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande is exploring ways to finance local AIDS research. Additionally, the South African National AIDS Council has approached the Lottery Commission for alternative funding.
“We don’t expect funding to come from other countries,” Mashatile emphasized. “But I am confident we will find a solution.”
As the country braces for a more self-reliant approach, civil society groups stress the need for urgent action to prevent further setbacks in the fight against HIV-AIDS.
{Source: Money Web}
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