South Africa: Clinics close in major AIDS shake-up

Donor cuts and a shake-up in the HIV and AIDS sector are having a major impact on HIV and AIDS services countrywide.

Many patients who previously got their antiretroviral (ARV) treatment from well-run non-governmental organisations are being transferred to already overcrowded public health facilities.

A number of HIV and AIDS support organisations, including those supporting orphans, are either closing or cutting back on staff.

Some donors, such as the Royal Netherlands Embassy, are pulling out altogether. Others, including the biggest funder – the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) – are “reprioritising”.

The SA Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), which has 14 ARV treatment sites serving 20 000 patients, is in the process of transferring patients to government clinics wherever possible.
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