'What's the plan?' - HIV/AIDs groups affected by Trump cuts want answers from health dept

CapeTalk & 702's Africa Melane is joined by CEO of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Professor Linda-Gail Bekker.

Listen below:

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says United States (US) President Donald Trump can’t be blamed for cutting funding to the country’s HIV/AIDS programmes. 

Earlier this year, Trump terminated funding to local and global organisations carrying out vital work in the fight against HIV/Aids.

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is one of the South African organisations affected by the funding cuts.

RELATED: The devastating impact of Trump's USAID cuts on SA’s HIV programmes

"No-one expected PEPFAR to literally stop overnight."

- Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO - Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

"It has left us in complete disarray and confusion, and with salary bills where we have no source of income to pay them."

- Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO - Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

Motsoaledi says that while the impact of this has left many fearful of the consequences, it won’t cause the country’s treatment programmes to collapse. 

But Bekker says the National Health Department doesn't have the capacity to absorb the losses in programme funding and research funding.

"We know that the Department of Health itself is in austerity, the economy is struggling, and this additional loss is very concerning... and I think that is where the field has been raising its voice."

- Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO - Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

Bekker says affected organisations have been posing a vital question to the health ministry.

"What's the plan? We need a plan."

- Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO - Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

RELATED: One in four living with HIV not on treatment

Scroll up to listen to the full interview.