The United States has approved $115 million in emergency assistance to help South Africa maintain its HIV/AIDS services following months of disruption caused by a global aid freeze earlier this year.
The funding, announced by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, will run from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, under the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Bridge Plan.
According to Ntshavheni, the support package will ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical services, including antiretroviral treatment, HIV testing, and community outreach, across the country.
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“The PBP is designed to sustain HIV/AIDS service continuity, focusing on country-specific needs and life-saving interventions,” she said.
Earlier this year, the United States temporarily froze portions of its global foreign aid budget, sparking concern across Africa about the potential collapse of vital health programs. The impact was particularly severe in South Africa, which hosts one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the world.
The emergency funds are expected to stabilize operations and prevent setbacks in South Africa’s long-term goal of reducing HIV prevalence to 0.1% by 2032.
“We must not regress. We can achieve an HIV-free society by that time,” Ntshavheni emphasized.
Health analysts view the PEPFAR Bridge Plan as a crucial intervention for South Africa’s healthcare system, which has relied heavily on international assistance to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Further negotiations between both governments are expected to determine long-term funding mechanisms beyond March 2026, ensuring sustainability in the country’s HIV response strategy.
