Gauteng’s health department is yet to secure alternative funding or a revised budget to offset the loss of R1.4 billion previously provided by USAID.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed in the provincial legislature on Tuesday that a motivation for increased conditional grant funding has been submitted to the National Treasury. This was in response to a query from ANC MPL Matshidiso Mfikoe regarding the impact of the funding cut and possible solutions.
USAID recently withdrew its funding for HIV programs in South Africa under the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), citing allegations of wasteful expenditure. The cut has affected critical services, including HIV/AIDS testing, counselling, and treatment, as well as the availability of skilled personnel such as data capturers, teletracers, and treatment navigators.
To mitigate the funding shortfall, the department has redirected community outreach services to fixed health facilities and mobile clinics. Additionally, nonprofit organisations involved in HIV testing services have been tasked with tracking and tracing patients who have defaulted on treatment.
Despite these interventions, Nkomo-Ralehoko acknowledged that shortages in human resources, medical supplies, and ICT equipment remain a challenge. The province now awaits feedback from the National Treasury on its funding request.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com