The Department of Health will this week embark on a consultative process with various organisations affected by the decision of the US government to freeze and cut donor funding for HIV/AIDS and TB response programmes. The process was initiated by the department in order to receive first-hand information to understand the extent of impact of funding cut in order to make informed decisions on the proper interventions by government.
The department values the contribution made by these organisations in the country`s response to HIV/AIDS and TB, hence we remain committed to work with them to develop short-medium to long term interventions.
The department urges all people living with HIV who were receiving their life-saving HIV treatment from the sites and centres funded by US government through USAID and PEPFAR to continue their treatment journey at their nearest public health facilities.
In the meantime, South Africans are also urged to go for regular health screening and testing in order to know their health status, and prevention measures to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The department has already communicated with provinces to make necessary preparations and adjustments to accommodate new patients in the treatment programmes in accordance with relevant standard operating guidelines.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Foster Mohale
Acting Head of Communications Department of Health
Cell: 072 432 3792
E-mail: Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Sello Lediga
Ministerial Spokesperson Department of Health
Cell: 082 353 9859
E-mail: Sello.Lediga@health.gov.za
#GovZAUpdates
