Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi reassures the public that South Africa’s HIV/Aids programmes will not collapse despite the recent withdrawal of funding by the US. With a total expenditure of R46.8 billion on HIV programmes in the country, Motsoaledi highlighted that R7.9 billion was previously provided by the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar).
In a recent briefing with journalists, Motsoaledi emphasized that the existing facilities in South Africa are equipped to absorb the affected patients and prevent any immediate collapse of the programme. He expressed his confidence in the resilience of the healthcare system and its ability to sustain the progress made over the past decade and a half.
The decision by President Donald Trump to cut US foreign aid, including funding for HIV/Aids and tuberculosis programmes in South Africa, has undoubtedly caused concern within the health sector. However, Motsoaledi assured that alternative funding sources are in place to mitigate the impact of these cuts.
Pepfar had been supporting the department of health in 27 high burden districts across eight provinces, providing essential services to key populations. With the closure of Pepfar-funded clinics, files belonging to these populations were successfully transferred to public health facilities, ensuring continuity of care.
Additionally, other prominent funders like the Global Fund have been instrumental in supporting health services for key populations in South Africa. The Global Fund currently supports 34 designated facilities and has facilitated treatment for over 74,000 individuals from these groups.
Despite the challenges posed by the funding cuts, Motsoaledi remains optimistic about South Africa’s progress towards achieving the UN’s 95-95-95 target to end HIV/Aids as a public health threat by 2030. The government’s Close the Gap campaign aims to accelerate progress by getting 1.1 million HIV-positive individuals onto treatment by the end of the year, with over 500,000 already initiated on treatment.
As the country continues to navigate the impact of the funding cuts, Motsoaledi is committed to ensuring the sustainability of HIV/Aids programmes and the overall well-being of the population. The resilience and adaptability of the healthcare system will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and maintaining the progress made in combating HIV/Aids in South Africa.
