The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a major funder of HIV and TB programmes in South Africa for nearly two decades.
Through PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), the US has invested billions of dollars into fighting HIV/AIDS across Africa.
South Africa, home to the world’s largest HIV epidemic, has received around $8 billion (R147 billion) from the US since 2004. This funding has supported life-saving programmes, including:
- Providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to millions of South Africans.
- Funding community-based clinics and HIV testing programmes.
- Supporting vulnerable groups like sex workers, orphans, and LGBTI+ communities.
But now, USAID has abruptly ended its funding to South African organisations, leaving thousands without jobs and millions without essential healthcare.
Why Has USAID Pulled Its Funding?
On 24 January 2025, US President Donald Trump’s administration froze all foreign aid as part of a policy review. The goal? To ensure US funding aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Despite initial waivers allowing some HIV programmes to continue, a final decision was made to terminate over 90% of USAID-funded projects globally. Organisations in South Africa were notified overnight, with letters instructing them to immediately shut down.
According to these letters, the terminations were due to:
- “Misalignment with US agency priorities.”
- A decision that continuing these programmes was “not in the national interest.”
This decision impacts not only HIV/AIDS programmes but also TB treatment, research, and healthcare services that rely on US funding.
What Happens Next?
The impact of these cuts is devastating:
- Millions of people may lose access to HIV treatment. Without ART, many will develop AIDS, and HIV transmission rates could increase.
- TB cases may rise. HIV and TB are closely linked, and stopping TB treatment could lead to drug-resistant TB outbreaks.
- Massive job losses. Thousands of healthcare workers—including nurses, HIV counselors, and researchers—are now unemployed.
- Research will suffer. Trials for HIV prevention drugs and vaccines have been halted, slowing scientific progress.
How Is South Africa Responding?
So far, the South African government has not provided clear answers on how it will fill this funding gap. Public health experts and activists are urging the government to:
- Step in with emergency funding. Without immediate action, lives will be lost.
- Absorb affected workers into the public health sector. South Africa’s healthcare system is already struggling—losing thousands of skilled workers will only make things worse.
- Increase domestic HIV funding. The US withdrawal highlights the need for South Africa to become self-sufficient in funding its own healthcare programmes.
The Bigger Picture: Lives Are at Stake
This isn’t just a funding issue—it’s a humanitarian crisis. The loss of USAID funding means increased HIV deaths, more infections, and fewer resources for vulnerable communities.
Health experts estimate that without urgent intervention, over 500,000 deaths could occur in the next 10 years due to these cuts. The consequences will be felt for generations.
Now, the pressure is on the South African government to step up and protect the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
How do you think South Africa should respond to the loss of USAID funding? Should the government step in, or should we seek new international partners?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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