Cutting Aid: South Africa Faces Increased HIV Risks Amid US Funding Cuts

Fri Oct 17 2025 09:55:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Concerns rise in South Africa as cuts to USAID funding lead to service gaps for HIV-positive individuals, threatening years of progress in treatment and research.

The recent reduction in HIV treatment funding from the US has left many South Africans, particularly vulnerable populations such as sex workers, struggling to access essential care. The cuts could reverse decades of progress in HIV care and research, raising fears of a resurgence in infections and health complications.

South African experts express serious concerns as the effects of cuts to HIV treatment funding by the United States are being felt nationwide. Gugu, a 54-year-old from Johannesburg, represents thousands of HIV-positive individuals facing an uncertain future after President Trump's administration slashed substantial foreign aid earlier this year. Gugu, who previously obtained antiretrovirals (ARVs) from a now-closed USAID-funded clinic, revealed her clinic's rapid closure left her sourcing a massive supply of her medication in advance.

Having relied on private clinics to facilitate her treatment, the transition to public hospitals is daunting. Gugu noted that long wait times can deter many from seeking needed care, especially for sex workers for whom time literally equates to money. Her experiences highlight the potential for individuals to default on their medication due to stigma and lack of sensitivity from public health staff.

A recent UNAids report warned that drastic funding cuts risks reversing significant global advancements made against HIV/Aids. New infections have declined by 40% since 2010, but a worrying trend could unfold if funding is not restored, with projections of up to six million new HIV cases and four million Aids-related deaths by 2029.

Historically, the US has been a significant contributor to global HIV/Aids funding. Initiatives like George W. Bush's President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) injected over $100 billion into combating the disease. South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV in the world, and a decline in financial resources is projected to spike infection rates anew.

Researchers in South Africa also fear setbacks in developing new vaccines and treatments. Prof Abdullah Ely remarked that existing trials had been suspended due to funding halts, jeopardizing critical research initiatives. With local universities seeking a bailout of 4.6 billion rand over three years, recent pledges from the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust provide only a fraction of the needed resources.

As Gugu contemplates her future, she emphasizes the broader implications of these cuts on subsequent generations. "This isn't just a problem for right now; we have to think about how it's going to affect the next generation of women and young people," she asserts. As health experts warn of potential health hazards, the urgency of new funding and commitment to combat HIV/Aids has never been clearer.