Latest news with #R753
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Motsoaledi: SA's HIV/AIDS programme will not collapse despite US funding cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa's HIV/AIDS programme remains secure, with Treasury and global partners stepping in after the withdrawal of US funding. Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa's world-leading HIV/Aids programme 'will not collapse' following the withdrawal of US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) funding earlier this year. This as the National Treasury injected R753 million into the programme with global partners pledging a further R600 million to support treatment and research. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump's administration announced it would halt all Pepfar funding, following previous global health aid cuts under the same administration. The decision by USAID to withdraw support has left a significant funding gap, particularly for countries like South Africa, where approximately 17% of the HIV/AIDS response was funded by Pepfar. Presenting the Department of Health's 2025/26 budget in Parliament on Wednesday, Motsoaledi outlined the National Department of Health's three key priorities: strengthening the public health system in preparation for National Health Insurance (NHI), eliminating key diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB, and implementing long-overdue reforms in the private health sector. 'There is no way we are going to allow the world's biggest HIV/AIDS Programme to collapse- never.' He described claims of a collapse as premature and inaccurate, insisting the department had developed clear plans to bridge the funding gap. 'In South Africa we seem to like the word 'collapse'. Every time something meets headwinds, it is said to have collapsed,' he said. Motsoaledi told Parliament, emphasising that despite funding cuts, government and partners are stepping in. 'We presented our plans to National Treasury and asked for help. At the same time we approached other funders, both domestic and globally.' Motsoaledi revealed that National Treasury had responded to the department's request for support by releasing R753,528,000.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Treasury allocates R750m to offset Pepfar funding withdrawal as Motsoaledi tables health budget
Pepfar contributed just 17% to the overall funding for South Africa's HIV/Aids response. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi at Good Hope Chambers in Cape Town on 11 July 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan The National Treasury has allocated just over R750 million to the Department of Health to help close the gap left by the withdrawal of the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar). Earlier this year, United States (US) President Donald Trump signed an executive order to freeze foreign aid administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), impacting global health programs including Pepfar. The decision has had significant repercussions for South Africa's HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB) programmes. According to the government, Pepfar funding accounted for only 17% of the country's HIV response funding. Government reaffirms HIV/Aids commitment after Pepfar withdrawal Speaking in Parliament during a budget vote debate on Wednesday, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating HIV/Aids as a public health threat by 2030. To reach the target of having 95% of HIV-positive people on antiretroviral therapy (ARVs), Motsoaledi said the department needs to reach 1.1 million people. Despite the funding cut, he stressed that the programme continues to make progress. 'I know that the withdrawal of Pepfar funding made some people believe that our massive – actually the world's biggest – HIV counselling, testing and treatment campaign has collapsed or is on the verge of collapsing,' Motsoaledi said in his speech. ALSO READ: Over 8 000 SA healthcare jobs lost – and more could follow – after US Pepfar aid cuts 'I have noticed with regret that in South Africa we seem to like the word 'collapse'. Every time something meets headwinds, it is said to have collapsed.' 'The public health system suffers this tag quite a lot. It is said to have collapsed so many times that I do not know how many lives it has.' 'Anyway, there is no way we are going to allow the world's biggest HIV/Aids Programme to collapse – never,' he continued. The minister told MPs that in addition to requesting help from the National Treasury, the Department of Health also approached other local and international funders. 'Treasury has come to the party,' he remarked. Watch the budget vote debate below: Treasury allocates funds Motsoaledi revealed that Treasury has provided R753 million (R753 528 000) to bolster the department's HIV/Aids initiatives. From this total, R590 million (R590 407 000) will be allocated to provinces through the comprehensive HIV/Aids section of the district health programme grant. Another R32 million (R32 121 000) is earmarked for strengthening the central chronic medicine dispensing and distribution (CCMDD) programme, as well as managing the pharmaceutical supply chain. In addition, R132 million will be allocated to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to fund health research efforts. READ MORE: Health experts warn of 'huge disaster' as USAID terminates Pepfar HIV funding in SA Motsoaledi also noted that both the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust have pledged R100 million each for research, on the condition that Treasury matches the combined contribution with R200 million. 'This has been accepted. Treasury is going to add R400 million,' he said. The R400 million will be released over a period of three years, with the first tranche of R132 million allocated in the current financial year. Pepfar contributed close to R8 billion Despite the new allocation, experts say it is not sufficient to fill the gap left by Pepfar's withdrawal. Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism founder and editor-in-chief Mia Malan expressed concern about the shortfall. 'Is the R753 million awarded by Treasury enough to plug the gap of Pepfar funds? Not even close. 'Pepfar awarded $439 537 828 (around R7.9 billion) to SA for [financial year] 2024/2025. [The health department] needed R2.82 billion to plug essential gaps,' Malan said in a social media post on Wednesday. NOW READ: SA funds 90% of its HIV/Aids ARV programme, Motsoaledi reveals amid Pepfar uncertainty
