HIV Testing Drops in South Africa Amid US Aid Cuts: Reuters

By Staff, Agencies

HIV testing and patient monitoring in South Africa have significantly declined following cuts in US aid funding, with the hardest-hit groups being pregnant women, infants, and youth, according to previously unpublished government data seen by Reuters.

South Africa has the world's highest HIV burden, with approximately 8 million people, or one in five adults, living with the virus.

Until earlier this year, the US had funded 17% of South Africa’s HIV budget until President Donald Trump’s administration cut this support, severely impacting health services.

Despite South Africa not relying on US funding for HIV medications, PEPFAR had contributed over $400 million annually to cover the salaries of approximately 15,000 health workers.

Most of that funding has been withdrawn, though it is unclear exactly how much.

Reuters reviewed government data that revealed a significant drop in viral load testing among key groups in the past two months, which HIV experts linked to the reduction in US funding.

Data reviewed by Reuters showed a 17.2% decline in viral load tests for people aged 15-24 in April compared to the same month last year, following a 7.8% year-on-year decrease in March.

The total population testing also fell by 11.4% in April. Additionally, maternal viral load testing dropped by 21.3% in April after a 9.1% decline in March, while early infant diagnostic testing fell 19.9% in April after a 12.4% drop in March.