01.12.2025
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SANAC seeks new funding for HIV care as PEPFAR cuts hit on AIDS Day

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  • A nurse hands out a red ribbon to a woman, to mark World Aids Day.

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) says efforts are under way to secure funding for HIV/AIDS programmes. This follows the recent cut in grants from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

SANAC’s comment comes as the world observes AIDS Day.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will lead the national World AIDS Day event at Masemola Stadium in Ga-Masemola, Limpopo.

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, officials from SANAC, and local community members will join the Deputy President.

SANAC’s CEO Dr Thembisile Xulu says, “We are now speaking to other funders through the DG, speaking to philanthropists like Elma, like Clinton Health and the private sector, and this is being held by DG and that is looking very promising. We are also looking at possibly a positive result from the National Lottery Commission to bridge the PEPFAR gap.”

Xulu adds, “So there have been a few areas, and then government in the mid-term adjustment also put in an application for more money. Nobody will ever be able to fill the hole that PEPFAR left in this country. But I think when you look at how we are changing programs to be more efficient and the resources we are mobilising, we should be relatively fine.”

 

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