Study Highlights New HIV Treatment Methods for Newborns in South Africa

Recent advances in HIV treatment highlight both progress and challenges in global and local responses. In South Africa, new research led by Professor Adrie Bekker demonstrates that two novel formulations of dolutegravir are safe and effective for newborns, potentially expanding critical HIV treatment for infants under 28 days old. On a continental scale, the Global Fund marked a milestone by procuring first-line HIV treatment manufactured in Africa, increasing supply security and access for over 72,000 people in Mozambique. However, funding cuts from the Trump administration have severely impacted HIV services in South Sudan and several Southern U.S. states, with organizations reporting reduced outreach, testing, and care for vulnerable populations. Grassroots groups and local governments are now scrambling to fill these gaps, raising concerns about worsening health outcomes and increased risk of HIV transmission. These developments underscore both the promise of scientific and manufacturing innovation and the risks posed by unstable funding for HIV programs.