After health workers were forced to leave South African children with HIV due to cuts in U.S. foreign aid, hundreds of these children are fighting for their lives.
An aid worker named Elsie, 45, had been assisting 380 children in Msogwaba township, making sure they took their medications and maintained their health. Her work has been halted, however, since President Donald Trump cut U.S. foreign aid in January. She revealed that she was helping 380 children and ensuring that each one was taking his medication.
Elsie’s group had to close its HIV support services after relying on more than $3 million in U.S. financing from USAID. She and around 100 other medical professionals are no longer able to see kids who require life-saving drugs.
“My fear is that they won’t take their medication,” Elsie said. Some children have already disappeared, and others may miss hospital appointments. “Some of them won’t survive.”
USAID was crucial in helping to provide free treatment and assistance for South Africa, which has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. However, many children, orphans, and vulnerable households are forced to fend for themselves if funding is cut off.
In order to address the problem, the South African government has committed an extra 28.9 billion rand ($1.5 billion), but medical professionals caution that the harm has already started. Medication shortages are increasing, clinics are closing, and thousands of lives are at risk.
“I take them as my own children,” Elsie said, her voice filled with pain. “But now, I can’t even check if they are okay.”
Aid organizations are pleading with other donors to intervene ahead of time as the crisis worsens.
