South Africa has secured a $115 million emergency funding package from the United States to safeguard critical HIV/AIDS services following disruptions caused by a global aid freeze earlier this year.
The funding, part of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Bridge Plan (PBP), was announced Thursday by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post-Cabinet media briefing.
The six-month package will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.
“The PBP is meant to ensure uninterrupted HIV service delivery in South Africa by supporting HIV/AIDS service continuity and prioritising country-specific needs and life-saving impact,” Ntshavheni said.
Earlier this year, Washington froze portions of its global foreign aid budget, triggering concern across Africa where US-backed health programmes – including HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention – faced potential disruption.
South Africa, which has one of the world’s largest HIV-positive populations, was among the countries most affected.
The emergency funding is expected to stabilise key services, including antiretroviral treatment, testing and community outreach.
Ntshavheni emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum toward South Africa’s goal of reducing HIV prevalence to 0.1 percent by 2032.
She also called on both government and international partners to ensure that progress is not reversed.
“We must not regress. We can achieve an HIV-free society later in that period,” she said.
The PEPFAR Bridge Plan is seen as a lifeline for South Africa’s health sector, which has relied heavily on international support to combat the epidemic.
Further negotiations are expected to determine long-term funding arrangements beyond March 2026.
JN/APA