South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi stated on Thursday that the government has yet to secure new funding for HIV programs following U.S. aid cuts, while also denying reports of severe impacts on the country’s HIV program.
The United States’ PEPFAR initiative previously covered approximately 17% of South Africa’s HIV budget until President Donald Trump reduced aid.
A Reuters report indicated a significant decline in HIV viral load testing across South Africa since the funding cut, signaling strain on the health system.
Motsoaledi admitted to some issues but dismissed the possibility of the HIV program collapsing and criticized the media for negativity. He stated that any decline in testing would be addressed, but downplayed the severity.
South Africa, once the global epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis, has made significant progress in reducing cases and deaths. However, it still faces the world’s highest HIV burden, with one in five adults living with the virus.
The U.S. funding had supported the salaries of over 15,000 health workers, with about 8,000 now unemployed due to the cuts, according to Motsoaledi. He admitted that there was no plan in place for these workers beyond discussions with funders and the Treasury, which has not yet responded.
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Motsoaledi’s comments have sparked anger within the health sector, with critics arguing that the government has not taken the funding loss seriously.
HIV activists protested in Cape Town, demanding an emergency plan from the state.
Fatima Hassan, founder of the Health Justice Initiative, accused the health minister of denial and warned of harmful public health consequences resulting from both the Trump administration’s actions and the South African government’s inadequate planning.
