On Sunday, June 21, 2026, the Department of Health has assured South Africans that contingency measures are already in place to cushion the potential impact of a withdrawal of external funding, following reports that the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) may be phased out.
The department stated that it has not received any formal communication from the US Government, but noted that preparations for reduced donor dependence have been underway since January 2025, when foreign assistance was initially frozen and USAID grants were cancelled.
Officials emphasized that the transition towards financial self-reliance is already in motion and designed to ensure continuity of services without disruption.
While acknowledging PEPFAR as a significant contributor to the national HIV/AIDS response, the department stressed that antiretroviral procurement remains largely domestically funded, with 90% financed through the national fiscus and the remaining 10% supported by the Global Fund.
PEPFAR support, it noted, has primarily focused on 27 high-burden districts across eight provinces, excluding the Northern Cape, supplementing rather than replacing government-led service delivery. The department further assured that public health facilities remain fully accessible, including for patients previously served through PEPFAR-supported clinics.
It added that the future of HIV/AIDS financing will form part of discussions at the United Nations High-Level Meeting scheduled for June 22–23, 2026, in New York, where Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is expected to participate. The statement underscored government’s position that systems have been deliberately structured to ensure resilience, continuity of care, and long-term sustainability in the national HIV response.