Problems with Accessing Medications from PEPFAR in Southern Africa

• Sex workers in Southern Africa are facing challenges in accessing medications from PEPFAR.
• The scaling back of American aid has led to the closure of clinics and a reduction in treatment.
• Experts warn of an increase in new infections and deaths, as the aid is not being restored.

Johannesburg — At an evening event in Johannesburg, news emerged about the closure of several clinics that provided free services for PEPFAR treatment, which quickly spread among sex workers. This occurred after U.S. President Donald Trump announced cuts to foreign aid.

Six months after this, Southern Africa, where the largest number of people living with HIV reside, is struggling with difficulties in treating its most vulnerable populations. Nearly 63,000 people who received treatment at 12 clinics that have closed are now left without assistance. Up to 220,000 people have been denied access to daily medication.

The government of Southern Africa has stated that they will not allow their program for PEPFAR treatment to be diminished due to the U.S. withdrawal from funding in the amount of $427 million. Sex workers and transgender individuals, who are among the most vulnerable groups, reported that obtaining medication has become significantly more complicated.

One sex worker, a PEPFAR-positive mother of three, recounted that she could not obtain medication for nearly four months, having been denied treatment at state clinics. She initially received a monthly supply of medications from a mobile clinic that was established after the cuts to funding. However, she did not know what to do next.

Another sex worker reported that she was forced to buy medications on the black market, where prices for pills have nearly doubled. Although the U.S. has provided limited exceptions that allow for the continuation of some life-saving treatments for PEPFAR, many people are already suffering from the consequences.

Experts warn of the potential for thousands of new infections in the coming year in Southern Africa and tens of thousands of additional deaths, if the cuts to aid are not restored or compensated in other ways.

People who have lost access to the clinics are facing difficulties in seeking assistance elsewhere, including state clinics. Many of them are being denied treatment due to lack of referral from the previous clinic, regardless of whether this is a requirement.

Discrimination remains a serious problem, particularly for sex workers and transgender individuals, who often encounter hostility in healthcare settings. Some of them have decided to purchase medications privately, as they cannot access their treatment in state facilities.

Since the beginning of the aid cuts, the situation is worsening, and many people are no longer undergoing testing for HIV, not knowing at what stage of the disease they may be. Previously, even before the cuts, nearly 2 million of the 8 million people living with HIV in Southern Africa were not receiving treatment.

Activists express concern that the region could revert to a battle against the epidemic of HIV. Trump's administration, asserting that cuts do not reflect the interests of the U.S., supported these reductions, which seriously impacted public health in Africa.

Tags: Politics/Well-being