Researchers are forced to seek alternative funding sources after grants related to US programs were withdrawn. The reduction in funds compels scientists to find replacements for money needed for genetic testing and HIV monitoring.
During a recent webinar by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) titled 'Women's Health: Our Challenges. Our Science. Our Future,' leading specialists emphasized that the lack of funding negatively affects vital public health and scientific research programs.
The Ministry of Health is developing a self-sufficiency plan to minimize the consequences of the funding withdrawal, which began with the freezing of foreign aid and the cancellation of USAID grants in January 2025. It was noted that the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) contributed significantly to the country's HIV control program, but it did not provide antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), as 90% of these drugs are purchased from the state budget and 10% through the Global Fund.
PEPFAR supported the Ministry of Health in 27 high-prevalence HIV/AIDS districts out of 52 districts across eight provinces in the country, excluding the Northern Cape. Earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the allocation of 26 billion rand to provinces to strengthen HIV/AIDS control programs, such as preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring ARVs.
Dr. Lee Berry, Head of the HIV and STIs Centre at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NICD), stated that current HIV research conducted in South Africa has suffered due to funding cuts from the US. Dr. Berry noted that they have to seek other funding sources and believes they are fortunate because other donors offered to help fill this gap.
She added that funding opportunities provided by the Global Fund, the Gates Foundation, and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) are providing assistance. Nevertheless, she stressed that gaps remain, and they are making every effort to ensure the continuation of many monitoring and research activities, as they consider this work extremely important and do not want it to be interrupted.
Dr. Nokukhanya Msomi, Head of the Virology Department at NHLS/University of KwaZulu-Natal, agreed that the funding restrictions from the US have seriously affected the country. She reported a shortage of funds for research, leading to reduced funding shares. However, she is confident that this will not stop the implementation of programs and reporting on its own initiatives through research projects, which will allow for better decision-making for public health-related programs in the future.
Dr. Msomi also mentioned that the increase in local funding, particularly through SAMRC and the NHLS Research Trust, has recently initiated calls for research funding that will allow for the continuation of scientific activities necessary to meet South Africa's needs.