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R7bn Funding Gap Threatens HIV and TB Progress

07 Jul 2025

The US cuts earlier this year of the President Donald Trump’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will result in an annual loss of R7bn in aid to SA’s fight against HIV and Tuberculosis (TB). – Spotlight (4 July 20250)
PEPFAR supported the salaries of 15,000 essential health workers including 8,000 community health workers, 2,000 nurses and 300 doctors in 27 of the country's high-priority HIV districts.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups, including the Global HIV Treatment Coalition, sent a letter to Government, criticising the lack of a clear, public emergency plan.
“While the National Department of Health has reportedly developed internal plans, meaningful progress with the National Treasury to secure emergency funds remains elusive.”
Experts propose that the existing R25bn grant for funding public health efforts be amended and scaled up to absorb the activities previously funded by PEPFAR. 
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