SA’s HIV plan gets a R16bn boost

SOUTH Africa’s efforts to control the HIV epidemic by 2020 received a financial boost with the announcement that the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (US Pepfar), will invest $1.2 billion (R16.4bn) over two years.

This commitment includes an HIV treatment “Surge” that supports President Ramaphosa’s call to action to provide life-saving HIV treatment to two million more South Africans.

The Surge plan was developed jointly by Americans and South Africans. The HIV-treatment Surge aims to make it easier for more people to start and stay on treatment by: expanding the health workforce, including community health workers; supporting more direct HIV treatment services and harnessing innovation and technology. The announcement was made by US Global Aids co-ordinator and special representative for global health diplomacy, ambassador Deborah L Birx MD and Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi at the Global Citizen concert on Sunday. Birx said: “Controlling the HIV epidemic is not only possible, it is happening – country by country, community by community – across Africa. We are more committed than ever to ending Aids in South Africa.”

She said they would continue working with the government as well as civil society to accelerate optimised HIV testing, treatment and retention strategies. Pepfar programmes operate with a focus on transparency, accountability, partnership and impact.

For more information, visit PEPFAR.gov and https://za.usembassy.gov/ our-relationship/pepfar.