Chairperson of the Committee on Health Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo stresses the need for South Africa to strengthen its healthcare system in light of the PEPFAR funding withdrawal.
Image: Matthew Jordaan/ Independent Newspapers
The Portfolio Committee on Health has raised serious concerns over the recent withdrawal of funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
This comes after US President Donald Trump announced that his government would be halting all PEPFAR funding, which supported the distribution of HIV/AIDS treatment in South Africa and other countries for years.
Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, explained that South Africa is home to 7.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS, the highest number globally. He emphasised the vital role PEPFAR has played in addressing the needs of the high-burden districts, selected for support based on specific criteria.
The Minister also clarified that the country has been more dependent on local funding for antiretrovirals (ARVs), with approximately 90% of medication being locally sourced.
However, committee members expressed concern that the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding could result in significant service disruptions.
They questioned the contingency plans in place to ensure continued service delivery and support for the healthcare workforce, which could be severely impacted by this cut.
''Members expressed concern that the suspension of funding could lead to significant disruptions in HIV prevention and treatment services, particularly in these 27 high-burden districts that rely heavily on PEPFAR support,'' said Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo,
The committee also emphasised the need to strengthen South Africa’s health sovereignty and reduce dependency on foreign funding. Members encouraged the Minister to prioritise local production of essential medications, including ARVs, and explore innovative funding mechanisms to maintain and expand health initiatives.
Additionally, the committee raised concerns about the growing number of qualified healthcare professionals unable to secure employment in the public sector.
The committee questioned the long-term implications of this trend and urged the Minister to outline strategies for integrating newly qualified doctors into the healthcare system.
Dhlomo added: “We must ensure that we can absorb newly qualified healthcare practitioners into the system to address the growing demand for health services, especially in underserved areas.”
The committee also suggested developing internship programs with guaranteed employment upon completion and working closely with provincial health departments to prioritise hiring in high-need areas.
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