South Africa is set to launch the lenacapavir HIV-prevention injection, administered biannually, within a few weeks. However, a recent report highlights that the country’s ability to effectively implement this program has been significantly undermined by funding cuts from the Trump administration, which dismantled critical community outreach and testing services. Experts warn that without urgent measures to restore these services, the rollout of lenacapavir may not achieve its full potential, risking a less effective prevention effort. The first shipments of lenacapavir, totaling 37,920 doses funded by the Global Fund, have already arrived, with a rollout anticipated by late May to early June. A study involving health professionals and community members indicated that the loss of support from U.S. funding severely impacts the health infrastructure necessary for increasing awareness and accessibility of HIV prevention services.
Why It Matters
The funding cuts in 2025 from the U.S. through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have had a disproportionate impact on HIV prevention efforts in South Africa, affecting key services like community-based testing and education. Although PEPFAR’s funding constituted about 17% of the overall HIV budget, it played a critical role in supporting essential local services. The decline in these resources has led to decreased HIV testing rates and reduced uptake of preventive measures, such as the daily HIV-prevention pill. The infrastructure challenges created by these funding reductions could hinder South Africa’s efforts to manage and reduce new HIV infections effectively.
Want More Context? 🔎
