Funding cuts 'threaten HIV testing in South Africa'

FUNDING cuts, particularly from the United States’ President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), have been cited as a reason behind South Africa’s startling decline in viral load testing.

- THOBEKA NGEMA [e-mail]

Earlier this year, President Donald ‘Trump withdrew funding from the Pepfar. This meant suspending some of the United States’ funding for HIV and TB programmes in African countries for 90 days. During his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the US funding represents about 17% of South Africa's HIV spend.

Reuters on Wednesday reported that data from the National Health Laboratory Service, a government entity, showed that viral load testing declined by up to 21% among key groups in the last two months.

Viral load testing for individuals aged 15-24 declined by 17.2% in April compared to last April, after dropping 7.8% year-on-year in March. Overall population testing decreased 11.4% in April, according to Reuters.

Maternal viral load testing was down 21.3% in April, after declining by 9.1% in March. Early infant diagnostic testing was also down 19.9% in April after declining by 12.4% in March.