Health to lead engagements on US funding freeze
The Health Department will this week embark on a consultative process with various organisations affected by the decision of the US government to freeze and cut donor funding for HIV/AIDS and TB response programmes.
South Africa has received an estimated $8 billion since the start Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR) in 2003, while United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds over 40 projects aimed at tackling the scourge of HIV/Aids in the country.
At the end of last month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order demanding the immediate freeze of funding to South Africa.
Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says this will help plan government's next move.
“The process was initiated by the department in order to receive first-hand information to understand the extent of the impact of funding cut to make informed decisions on the proper interventions by government.
READ MORE: US cuts overseas program budgets by more than 90%
“The department values the contribution made by these organisations in the country’s response to HIV/AIDS and TB, hence we remain committed to work with them to develop short-medium to long-term interventions.”
The department has urged clients receiving HIV treatment from USAID and PEPFAR-funded centres to continue their treatment at public health facilities.
An estimated 8 million people are living with HIV in South Africa, and of those nearly 6 million are on life-saving treatment.
“The department urges all people living with HIV who were receiving their life-saving HIV treatment from the sites and centers funded by the US government through USAID and PEPFAR to continue their treatment journey at their nearest public health facilities.
“In the meantime, South Africans are also urged to go for regular health screening and testing in order to know their health status, and prevention measures to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Mohale added.
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