Key facts
- The Trump administration plans to phase out HIV funding for South Africa.
- This decision is linked to a review of South Africa's economic status.
- South Africa is considered a middle-income country capable of funding its own health programs.
- U.S. HIV funding previously accounted for about 18 percent of South Africa's HIV budget.
- South Africa has been excluded from a plan to supply the HIV prevention drug lenacapavir.
The Trump administration has announced plans to phase out its HIV funding for South Africa, citing the country's status as a middle-income nation capable of self-funding its health programs. This decision comes as part of a broader review of South Africa's economic standing. U.S. aid previously constituted approximately 18 percent of the country's budget for combating the virus. South Africa has also been excluded from a U.S. plan to supply lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug, with the State Department arguing the country can afford to procure it independently. The administration provided $115 million last year through a PEPFAR bridging plan to sustain HIV treatment and prevention efforts until the end of March.