HIV clinics in South Africa shrink as US PEPFAR funding is cut

Activist Yvette Raphael, living with HIV for more than 20 years, says US cuts to South Africa’s HIV funding were felt “overnight” as mobile and safe‑space clinics closed. PEPFAR and UNAIDS support helped expand testing and treatment and drive down new infections in one of the world’s highest‑prevalence countries. Now programs report staff cuts, fewer tests and longer waits for life‑saving medicines, just as UNAIDS prepares to shut down in 2026. The government says it is trying to fill the gaps, but many worry it will not be enough. Al Jazeera's Clement Manyathela reports from Johannesburg. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X : https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera #SouthAfrica #HIV #PEPFAR #UNAIDS #PublicHealth #HIVTreatment #HIVPrevention #FundingCuts #Johannesburg #AlJazeeraEnglish Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile