As US cash dries up South Africa's fight to stop Aids gets harder

A reduction in US aid to South Africa is hindering the country's HIV/AIDS programs. In 2023, a US executive order led to a potential loss of $400 million annually, about a fifth of South Africa's HIV program budget. While the South African government provided some emergency funding and the US offered a "bridge plan," it was insufficient to cover the shortfall. This has led to reduced testing and gaps in services, particularly impacting "last-mile activities" like mobile clinics that reach vulnerable populations. The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, which lost 40% of its funding, exemplifies the challenges in maintaining HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention efforts in a country with the world's largest HIV-positive population. The funding cuts threaten to reverse progress made through programs like PEPFAR, which has saved millions of lives.

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