Connect with us

411

Motsoaledi Reassures South Africans on ARV Treatment Amid PEPFAR Funding Concerns

Published

on

Picture: govtZA

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has urged South Africans on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to continue taking their medication despite concerns over the future of US grant funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Motsoaledi emphasized that the South African government remains committed to its HIV/AIDS programmes, assuring the public that ARV treatment will not be disrupted.

“For now, all HIV/AIDS programmes continue. As the South African government, we want to ensure that nobody stops taking ARVs because that would be devastating,” Motsoaledi said on Wednesday, speaking on the sidelines of a two-day Cabinet Lekgotla.

While PEPFAR supports HIV treatment in 27 South African districts, Motsoaledi reassured that the country’s ARV programme is primarily funded by the government and the Global Fund, meaning it will not be affected by potential US funding changes.

He also clarified that no formal communication had been received from the US government regarding a withdrawal or reduction in funding.

“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 the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have also not received a letter,” he explained.

Motsoaledi added that while attempts to contact the US embassy were unsuccessful, some NGOs and clinics funded by PEPFAR had received communication regarding funding uncertainties.

South Africa has the highest number of HIV-positive individuals in the world, with 7.8 million people living with the virus. Of these, 5.5 million are currently on ARV treatment.

The country has been making steady progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to have 95% of people with HIV diagnosed, 95% of them on treatment, and 95% achieving viral suppression by 2030. However, South Africa still needs to enroll an additional 1.1 million people on treatment to meet this goal.

Motsoaledi stressed the importance of maintaining HIV/AIDS treatment efforts, regardless of external funding concerns.

“We must not allow any uncertainty to derail our progress in fighting HIV/AIDS,” he said.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com