Political Will Needed To Save Lives Amid Usaid Funding Cuts, Say Activists

Activists, many of whom were instrumental in the fight for free antiretrovirals for those living with HIV two decades ago, are once again picking up the baton. This comes amid rising concerns over the life-threatening impact PEPFAR-funding cuts are having on HIV programmes across the country.

This follows the decision by US President Donald Trump to terminate all USAID to South Africa. The US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PEPFAR funded nearly 20 of the states HIV response.

We will not let our people die, said veteran HIV activist Zackie Achmat at a meeting with several civil organisations at Bertha House in Mowbray, Cape Town, on Wednesday night to discuss the looming health crisis as a result of the USAID funding cuts.

Discussing various strategies to deal with the funding shortfall, Achmat said it was critical to assist the City of Cape Town and provincial government to get mobile clinics, which have been suspended, out to communities.