Health Minister Dr. Aaron Mossoaredi has rebutted allegations that the country’s HIV/AIDS program is falling apart following the withdrawal of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Motsoaledi stressed that the state is taking critical steps to maintain its HIV treatment and prevention programme.
This comes after the withdrawal of funding for major health initiatives, including Pepfer, which was founded in 2003 by former President George W. Bush and continued under various control.
The Minister noted that R7.9 billion of losses were spent on the HIV/AIDS programme each year on the HIV/AIDS programme, and 5.9 million people were spent on antiretroviral agents (ARVs).
“Of the R46.8 billion spent by the country on the HIV/AIDS program, it is unlikely that (US) President (Donald) Trump’s withdrawal of R7.9 billion will soon lead to a collapse of the entire program.”
Yesterday, Reuters reported that testing and surveillance of HIV patients in South Africa has been declining since the US cut back on aid that funded healthcare workers and clinics where pregnant women, infants and young people are the most affected.
However, the minister said since the Pepfer cuts, the government has launched a comprehensive strategy to close the funding gap and continue its critical healthcare services.
The government has since established weekly state check-in meetings to verify and track progress in HIV treatment.
They also secured alternative sources of funding, including R100 million through coordinated efforts with civil society, reaching 500,000 people and supporting it from the global fund.
According to the minister, they are also running state road shows to attract local health workers, AIDS councils and community stakeholders.
“It’s wrong to say that the HIV/AIDS programme campaign in South Africa is falling apart, because it’s not. The fact that we’ve taken this plan shows that we know that something is not going well.
“So if the load testing of the virus drops, does that mean a disruption to the campaign due to a range of imagination? No. I was hoping that some of these issues would arise, but I sit together every day, but simply because there are issues.
Motsoaledi also worked to close 12 specialist clinics funded by Pepfar, relocating 63,000 patient files to public health facilities.
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But nonetheless, he said the government is already training more than 1,000 clinicians and more than two nonclinical practitioners in seven states.
According to Motsoaledi, the country continues to maintain a stable supply of antiretroviral drugs, with 90% being sourced through government financial resources and 10% from donors.
“I also want to believe that every South African from every walk of life has a desire and desire to end the tragedy of HIV and AIDS as a threat to public health by at least 2030.
“But fighting each other, slandering each other, pointing fingers, reporting and spreading disinformation about the status of the campaign is undoubtedly not the aftermath of President Trump’s decision, nor is it a way to end the tragedy of HIV and AIDS.”
Motsoaledi said the state is actively seeking support from international partners, including bills and meetings with organizations such as the Melinda Gates Foundation and the French Development Agency.
“This is a time to come together, unite and fight as one powerful unit.”
The Minister highlighted the government’s continued commitment to combat HIV and highlighted the important achievements of the past decade.
Furthermore, he said the government’s commitment to combating HIV remains strong and has brought about great results.
Life expectancy increased from 54 in 2010. It increased from 7 to 66.5 in 2024, but the maternal mortality rate fell to 249 per 100,000 births, and the number of HIV-positive babies in 2004 fell to just 643 from 70,000 in 2004.
