Johannesburg – The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) strongly criticizes the United States for its reduction of health funding to South Africa via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Recently, the U.S. State Department confirmed it is fully phasing out PEPFAR initiatives in South Africa.
For over two decades, PEPFAR has played a crucial role in supporting South Africa’s fight against HIV and TB, with an investment surpassing $8 billion since 2003.
Through collaborations with civil society organizations, community health programs, clinics, researchers, and government bodies, PEPFAR funding has saved millions of lives, strengthened health systems, and improved access to prevention, treatment, care, and support services.
This partnership has been mutually beneficial, with South Africa acting as a vital partner in the development of new technologies and strategies crucial for the global health response.
“The withdrawal of this funding at such a critical time, without an appropriate transition plan, threatens the substantial progress made in tackling HIV and TB,” warned the TAC on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
“South Africa has the largest HIV treatment program in the world, yet millions still rely on services that have been directly or indirectly supported by PEPFAR.”
TAC emphasized that community health workers, lay counselors, data capturers, peer educators, key population programs, and community-led monitoring initiatives are already experiencing severe repercussions due to funding cuts implemented in 2025.
Through community-led monitoring at Ritshidze, TAC has highlighted the negative impacts of the funding reductions from 2025.
Notable examples include:
- 82% of facility managers reported staff shortages following the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding.
- 15% of public healthcare users surveyed experienced longer-than-usual waiting times.
- 30% of public healthcare users noted they were not offered HIV testing during visits to health facilities.
- 28% of respondents indicated that obtaining ART took longer after the disruptions caused by PEPFAR.
“These cuts are not just financial decisions,” TAC asserted.
“They have real implications for individuals living with HIV, especially adolescent girls and young women; sex workers; people who use drugs (PWUDs); transgender individuals; gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM); migrants; and those living in poverty.
“Reduced access to testing, prevention, treatment adherence support, and community outreach will inevitably lead to higher HIV transmission rates, interruptions in treatment, preventable illnesses, and unnecessary deaths.”
TAC firmly opposes any idea that the lives and health of individuals with HIV should be subject to shifting political priorities or geopolitical tensions. Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right.
Global solidarity in addressing health issues is not an act of charity; it’s a collective responsibility grounded in human rights and justice.
“We acknowledge the reduction of funding across the region during this critical period in the battle against HIV and TB.
“We express solidarity with our comrades in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other affected nations during these trying times.
“We appeal to the Trump administration to urgently reconsider its decisions and collaborate with impacted governments, communities, and civil society organizations to mitigate the severe fallout from the funding withdrawal.”
At the same time, TAC urges the South African government to take decisive measures to protect essential HIV and TB services.
“The government must swiftly evaluate the impact of funding losses, mobilize domestic resources as necessary, and ensure that no individual is denied life-saving healthcare due to donor withdrawal,” stated the TAC.
“This situation underscores the urgent need for increased investment in a resilient, publicly funded healthcare system that can maintain critical services without relying on fluctuating international funding.
“We further call upon other duty bearers to support efforts to protect community-based programs and prevent disruptions in treatment and care.
“The HIV epidemic has taught us a painful lesson: when political decisions obstruct access to healthcare, people suffer and die.”
TAC warned that South Africa cannot afford to return to the devastating losses of the past, where we grieved for lost comrades every weekend.
“The advancements achieved through decades of activism, scientific progress, and public investment must not be compromised.”
TAC reaffirmed its solidarity with all affected communities and organizations, pledging to continue mobilizing, organizing, and advocating for the rights, health, and lives of individuals with HIV.
Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi stated that he was not surprised by the U.S. withdrawal of PEPFAR funding, deeming it a “wake-up call” for South Africa to enhance its healthcare sovereignty and self-sufficiency.
He emphasized that while the funding cut is unfortunate, the nation must primarily rely on its own resources to protect citizens living with HIV/AIDS.
