U.S. Aid Freeze Impacts HIV Treatment in South Africa

The freeze on U.S. foreign aid initiated by President Donald Trump has severely impacted HIV treatment programs in South Africa, raising fears among patients like 19-year-old Nozuko Majola. Patients face significant challenges in accessing their medication due to funding uncertainties surrounding the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which contributes over $400 million annually to HIV programs in the country. There are concerns that the disruption could reverse progress made in combating HIV, with estimates suggesting that 1,300 young people contract the virus weekly in Majola's province, KwaZulu-Natal. Although a federal judge has temporarily lifted the funding freeze, many health facilities are already overwhelmed, and HIV support networks are struggling to cope with the crisis. NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders, are calling for immediate resumption of funding, citing devastating impacts on treatment access and program viability. With over 7.5 million people living with HIV in South Africa, the stakes are critical as the country relies heavily on international aid to sustain its healthcare initiatives.