Health Dept: Plans set to ensure US funding withdrawal doesn’t erode gains in fighting HIV/AIDS

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Health said plans are in place to ensure the withdrawal of United States (US) funding does not erode the country's gains in fighting HIV/AIDS.  

US President Donald Trump recently announced a freeze on an emergency plan for AIDS relief, also known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  

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South Africa is one of the many countries around the world that have received aid through the programme.  

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said about 15,000 health workers will not receive their salaries if the aid is withdrawn.  

“What we want to guard against is anybody not taking ARVs. I have given you the staff on the ground, that’s 271,000 people, and 256,452 people will still be there because they are paid by our government. Maybe they will just do more work, but 256,000 people are there.”