Govt working on meaures to replace US funding -Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reassured South Africans that contingency measures are being implemented after US slashed foreign aid in January.
South Africa is one of the countries affected by the decision.
One of the hardest-hit programmes is the US-funded HIV response initiative PEPFAR.
It previously accounted for 17% of South Africa's HIV prevention, counselling, and monitoring efforts.
Washington says the funding cuts are part of a programme review.
Speaking at the World TB Day commemorative event in KZN on Monday, Mashatile said that they are working on solutions.
READ: S.Africa says improving relationship with US 'a priority'
"With the threat of PEPFAR funding ending this will disrupt some of our critical TB programmes, especially our research efforts. This underscores the urgent need for contingency planning and building a resilient health system that can withstand these external shocks."
Meanwhile, UNAIDS chief Winnie Byanyima has labelled the sudden halt in US aid as “devastating”.
"If the US funding is not reinstated or others do not step in to fill the gap, there will be an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths in the next four years alone.
"You're talking of losing the gains that we have made over the last 25 years. It is very serious," she told reporters in Geneva.
