South Africa’s healthcare system is facing a major crisis due to deep cuts in U.S. foreign aid, not because of an influx of migrants, according to Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. In a strong statement, the bishop rejected xenophobic claims that foreign nationals are overburdening public services, instead pointing to the recent suspension of critical health funding from the United States as the root cause of the growing healthcare emergency.
Bishop Kizito emphasized that the withdrawal of U.S. funding, particularly for HIV and tuberculosis programs, has severely damaged public health infrastructure across the country. He criticized the government and public discourse for deflecting blame onto migrants, saying this narrative fuels division while ignoring the real financial and systemic shortfalls that have emerged since U.S. support was cut.
The impact of these aid cuts has been devastating. A key HIV vaccine trial known as BRILLIANT was halted after the loss of \$46 million in U.S. funding, resulting in the dismissal of 100 researchers and putting the health of thousands at risk. In total, the government reported that nearly 8,000 healthcare workers linked to HIV programs lost their jobs, and over the next five years, South Africa is expected to lose more than \$107 million in health-related foreign support.
In addition to job losses and halted research, data shows that HIV monitoring efforts have sharply declined. Viral-load testing among pregnant women and infants has dropped by up to 21%, while early infant HIV diagnosis has fallen nearly 20%. Experts warn that such declines could lead to increased HIV transmission rates and a reversal of years of progress in controlling the epidemic.
South Africa’s finance ministry has confirmed that the government is unable to compensate for the massive funding gap. The national health budget has been slashed by more than R8 billion, reducing available funds for critical care from R28.9 billion to R20.7 billion. This has left hospitals understaffed and patients without access to life-saving treatments.
Despite the introduction of a limited "Close the Gap" initiative, which reportedly enrolled over 520,000 new patients into care, critics argue that such efforts fall far short of what is needed to stabilize the system. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged the severity of the problem but stated that no immediate alternative funding source is available to replace the lost U.S. contributions.
Humanitarian organizations and global health advocates are increasingly vocal about the risks posed by declining international support. The Wellcome Trust has warned that these aid cuts could result in more deaths in Africa than the COVID-19 pandemic if urgent action is not taken. They, along with local church leaders, are calling for the restoration of funding and a shift in focus away from blaming migrants for systemic healthcare failures.
As South Africa struggles to maintain its position as home to the world’s largest HIV treatment program, leaders like Bishop Kizito are urging a renewed commitment to global solidarity and honest dialogue about the roots of the health crisis. Without immediate intervention and funding restoration, they warn, the consequences could be catastrophic for millions across the country.