South Africa's HIV/AIDS Programme: Weathering the Storm of US Funding Cuts

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

South Africa's HIV/AIDS programme is not on the brink of collapse despite the US government's withdrawal of funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi assured the public on Thursday.

The Pepfar funding accounted for R7.9 billion of the country's R46.8 billion HIV/AIDS programme, supporting 27 high-burden districts.

To address the loss of funding, the Department of Health has taken several steps:

- Transferring Patient Files: 63,322 files from Pepfar-funded clinics were transferred to public health facilities, ensuring uninterrupted care for key populations.

- Alternative Funding: 34 facilities funded by the Global Fund and four NGOs supported by the South African government continue to provide services for key populations living with HIV/AIDS.

- Training Healthcare Workers: A sensitisation training programme for healthcare workers has reached 1,012 clinicians and 2,377 non-clinicians in seven provinces.

- Roving Teams: Eight provinces have established roving teams for patient monitoring and data capturing.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist:8,061 health workers funded by Pepfar lost their jobs, although 7,478 remain employed through CDC funding until September, the Department of Health is engaging with potential donors, including private sector representatives and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to fill the funding gap.

Motsoaledi dismissed claims that the HIV/AIDS programme is collapsing, attributing the narrative to health experts and activists who have criticized the government's response. He emphasized the government's focus on fighting HIV/AIDS and TB in communities and townships.