US HIV Funding Cut from South Africa: UNAids Warns of Life-Threatening Consequences Pretoria, South Africa – The United Nations’AIDS agency (UNAids) has issued a dire warning that the US government’s decision to withdraw all HIV and AIDS funding from South Africa could lead to a catastrophic reversal in the country’s progress against the virus. UNAids Executive Director Winnie Byanyima estimates that the funding cuts could result in an additional 2,000 new HIV infections each day and over six million further deaths over the next four years.
The withdrawal of funding, initially announced by President Donald Trump in January 2025 as a 90-day pause, has since been terminated, with the majority of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) HIV programs being terminated. South Africa’s health ministry, which was not informed of the decision, has been working on a self-reliance plan in response to the sudden loss of a significant source of funding.
The country, which has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world, with over eight million people living with HIV, has been a major recipient of HIV and AIDS funding through the President’s Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (Pepfar).
The US has historically played a significant role in the global fight against HIV, providing an estimated $400 million a year through Pepfar until 2025.
The sudden withdrawal of this funding has left South Africa addressing the potential reversal of decades of progress in combating the virus. Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAids, described the funding cuts as “devastating “and called on the US to reverse the decision. She emphasized the disproportionate impact on women and girls, who are being hit particularly hard by the virus.
South Africa’s Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, commented on the matter, stating that the sudden withdrawal of funding has left the country in a difficult position but that they are committed to continuing their fight against the virus.
The US government’s decision to withdraw funding was partly based on South Africa’s alleged failure to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community, a claim Pretoria rejects. This decision has strained relations between the US and South Africa, raising concerns about the future of HIV funding and treatment in the country.
As South Africa grapples with the potential reversal of its progress in combating HIV/AIDS, the global community is watching closely.
The UNAids chief has called for an urgent international response to the crisis, emphasizing the need for continued funding and support for the country’s efforts to combat the virus. KICKER: The potential reversal of South Africa’s progress in combating HIV/AIDS is a stark reminder of the importance of sustained funding and support in the global fight against the virus.
As the country faces the threat of a new wave of infections and deaths, the international community must come together to ensure that the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS is not undone.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: BBC Africa
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