Should South Africa consider establishing an advisory committee, similar to the one used during the Covid-19 pandemic, to handle budget reductions related to HIV?
In recent developments, a study presented at the Conference on HIV Science in Kigali has revealed a concerning trend in South Africa. The research shows an 8.5% decrease in HIV testing in Joburg from January to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, and a staggering 30% reduction in people starting antiretroviral treatment during the same period.
These findings have sparked calls for urgent action, with prominent figures such as Helen Rees, medical doctor and the head of Wits RHI, advocating for the establishment of a national think-tank to address the crisis. Rees warns of the urgent need for such a body to ensure effective strategies are in place to combat the funding shortage.
The idea of a ministerial advisory committee to tackle the HIV funding crisis has been a topic of discussion since early August 2025. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has expressed interest in a committee similar to the one that advised during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as of mid-2025, no formal announcement or confirmation of such a committee forming has been made by the South African government.
The Trump administration's sudden funding cuts in February have had a significant impact on HIV programmes in South Africa, with limited reprieves resulting in the closure of previously funded projects. Despite the health ministry's general statements about funding efforts and program responses, no official announcement of a new HIV-specific ministerial advisory committee has been made.
In the absence of a ministerial advisory committee, efforts to manage the funding crisis and program gaps continue through various mechanisms. One proposed solution is an increase in health taxes to fill the gap left by the funding cuts. Another potential solution is the rollout of the anti-HIV jab lenacapavir, which could help prevent the spread of HIV if implemented quickly and in sufficient quantities.
The use of AI is also being proposed as a way to do more with less, potentially contributing to more efficient and cost-effective HIV programmes. However, no national think-tank or emergency committee beyond government structures has been announced by the health department to address the funding crisis.
The discussions around potential solutions to the HIV funding crisis took place on Bhekisisa's TV show, Health Beat, with Motsoaledi expressing his support for the idea of a ministerial advisory committee. The same research also shows a 31% decrease in new HIV diagnoses in 2025 compared to the previous year, highlighting the need for immediate action to stem the decline in testing and treatment.
Despite the ongoing debate and calls for action, as of August 2025, no active ministerial advisory committee is currently confirmed to be in place to address the HIV program funding cuts in South Africa. The need for such a body remains urgent, with experts warning of the potential consequences of inaction.
- The lack of an active ministerial advisory committee to address the HIV program funding cuts in South Africa is a pressing concern, given the urgency to combat the funding shortage and ensure effective strategies are implemented.
- The ongoing discussions about potential solutions to the HIV funding crisis, such as increasing health taxes or implementing lenacapavir, underscore the importance of establishing a ministerial advisory committee, as no national think-tank or emergency committee has been announced by the health department to date.
