Cape Town – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has urged people on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to continue taking their medication, despite reports that US grant funding for the PEPFAR programme is under review.
“For now, all HIV/Aids programmes continue. As the South African government, we want to ascertain that nobody must stop taking ARVs because that will be devastating,” Motsoaledi said on Wednesday while addressing members of the media on the sidelines of a two-day Cabinet Lekgotla.
While PEPFAR supports HIV treatment in 27 South African districts, Motsoaledi assured that the country’s ARV programme is primarily funded by the government and the Global Fund, and will not be affected.
[WATCH] Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi unpacks how South Africa has managed its fight against HIV-Aids, and the likely impact of the US’ suspension of funds to aid organisations, especially on its impact on the fight against HIV-Aids.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/H7GlR5yZpD
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 29, 2025
The minister emphasised that no official communication has been received from the US government regarding funding changes.
“So far, we have not received a letter from the American government. These funds for the HIV/AIDS programmes come through National Treasury and they have not received a letter; the Department of Health and Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have also not received a letter.
“We have tried to contact the US embassy and we couldn’t get them. The NGOs and the clinics that are funded by PEPFAR are the ones who have received letters,” Motsoaledi said.
Currently, 7.8 million South Africans are HIV-positive, with 5.5 million on ARVs.
South Africa is making progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets but needs 1.1 million more people on treatment to meet the 2030 goal of eliminating HIV as a public health threat.
