US Funding Cuts Threaten HIV Treatment for South African Patients

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:00:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Health experts are alarmed as significant reductions in US financial assistance hinder HIV treatment access for vulnerable populations in South Africa, particularly sex workers.

Thousands of HIV-positive individuals in South Africa, such as Gugu, are facing dire consequences following US funding cuts to healthcare programs. Experts warn that the closure of clinics and the struggle to access care could reverse decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Gugu used to receive her antiretroviral medicines at a USAID-supported clinic in central Johannesburg. However, the recent funding cuts announced by then-President Trump have thrown her and many other HIV-positive patients into uncertainty and distress. “I was fortunate; I received nine months’ worth of medication before my clinic closed,” Gugu lamented, highlighting the precarious reality for many.

At 54, having received an HIV-positive diagnosis after a health scare, she remains dedicated to supporting pregnant sex workers through her work with an NGO, ensuring they receive their medications so their babies are born HIV-negative. Prior to the cuts, such NGOs relied heavily on support from USAID-funded facilities, but these closures mean vulnerable populations like sex workers may struggle to access critical treatment.

“Public hospitals are daunting for sex workers. You often have to arrive at 4 or 5 AM and wait all day. For many, time is literally money,” Gugu explained. Additionally, she shared concerns over the treatment encounters where medical staff showed insensitivity towards their circumstances, potentially driving many to default on their medications.

A recent UN report warns that drastic cuts from various donors risk reversing the substantial progress made in combating HIV, with new infections in sub-Saharan Africa having been reduced by 56% since 2010. The report highlights the success of previous funding, indicating how improvements in antiretroviral access have saved millions of lives.

Experts, including Prof. Lynn Morris from Johannesburg’s Wits University, emphasize that this funding roll-back raises fears of rising infection rates and further health crises. “We do not want to see a resurgence of HIV infections,” she said, pointing toward the danger of neglecting surveillance and research that was formerly bolstered by US support.

South Africa, home to approximately 7.7 million people living with HIV, has seen a significant decrease in AIDS-related deaths thanks to initiatives like President George W. Bush’s PEPFAR program, which had invested over $100 billion into HIV/AIDS responses globally. However, with the Trump administration slashing funding, health professionals foresee a grim shift in this momentum.

For Gugu, maintaining her medication is a matter of survival, and she worries about the broader implications of these reductions. “The cuts threaten the health of future generations,” she expressed, concerned that potential vaccine developments may also be hindered.

In a Wits University lab, researchers are striving to continue their work on HIV vaccine developments, despite facing setbacks due to funding shortages. Prof. Abdullah Ely conveyed the uncertainty brought on by these cuts, stating, “We need local resources to fund local solutions. Without that, research suffers."

While the South African government secured some alternative funding, including contributions from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the total remains significantly lower than needed. “We are urging support to continue the critical role South Africa plays in HIV research,” Dr. Phethiwe Matutu urged, indicating the long-term consequences of these funding losses.

As Gugu reflects on her future, she remains hopeful yet apprehensive about the impact of these cuts. “I want to live to provide for my nine-year-old; the fight for continued treatment is essential for their future.”