UN says loss of HIV funding to South Africa will likely cause deaths

The US has decided to cut all HIV and Aids funding to South Africa, potentially causing lives to be lost reports the BBC on June 23^rd.

During a press briefing on June 22^nd, UNAids Chief Winnie Byanyima explained the removal of all US funds means lifesaving treatment will be stopped. She then urged member states to protect the nearly 8 million people living with HIV in South Africa, more than in any other country.

Byanyima also highlighted how the US’s decision could undo all of South Africa’s HIV prevention progress. Prior to the removal of funds, South Africa received around $400 million a year from the US’s President’s Emergency Fund for Aids Relief  (Pepfar). While South Africa’s HIV prevention programs aren’t financed solely by the US, the Pepfar fund makes up around 17% of the country’s HIV response funding, according to Byanyima.

South Africa’s health ministry responded to the loss of US funding with assurances that a self-reliance plan for the country has long been in the works.

On June 19^th the US State Department justified the removal of funds by saying it was in part a response to the inaction of South Africa’s government to combat the alleged persecution of white Afrikaners in the country.

South Africa’s relations with the US have long been strained.  US President Donald Trump has made claims of a white genocide in South Africa. In an executive order signed at the start of his second term, Trump alleged equal opportunity was a thing of the past in South Africa and the government’s policies stirred up violence against “racially disfavoured” landowners.

South Africa’s government strongly denies any racial discrimination against white farmers and  responded by saying it’s policies, in particular the Black Economic Empowerment policy are necessary to reduce the existing economic inequality created by decades of apartheid in the country.

BBC, Maghrebi.org