As it does every three months, Sibusiso traveled on Wednesday morning a clinic in the capital of Aswini, a small country of South Africa, to get the fullness of the medications he needs to save his life. When he arrived, the door was closed and about 20 other patients stopped abroad, confusing that the clinic was closed.
Sibusiso, 39, and the unemployed, heard rumors that President Trump was withdrawing funding for the program that supports his treatment. Now, though, the reality has learned: The Trump administration has ordered the suspension of the Emergency Emergency Plan for AIDS, or Pepfar, one of the most aid programs in America in Africa.
A sudden pause from a 6.5 billion dollar program established by former President George W. Bush and his guest to save the lives of tens of millions, patients, doctors and public health activists throughout Africa sent panic. Many fear to return to some of the darkest days on the continent, when HIV spread quickly and the diagnosis was closer to the death penalty.
While Sibusiso was standing outside the clinic, he was afraid to be the next. He had taken the last anti -viral drug that morning. And in spite of The Trump administration has declinedWith the sudden announcement of Tuesday that life -saving medications and treatments can continue to distribute, the clinic has been closed in confusion.
Sibusiso, who was standing outside, had no idea or when he could get more medications.
“I am now thinking about death,” said Sebosiso, who only asked to use his first name to protect his privacy. “What will I do without this treatment?”
The Trump administration said that external auxiliary programs will stop temporarily for three months because they are reviewing how money is spent. If the administration decides to terminate Pepfar, this may lead to 600,000 deaths during the next decade in South Africa alone, where there are the largest number of beneficiaries, according to a study.
“The next ninety days look very dysopia,” said Nozizwe Ntsesangang, CEO of the leading group in defense of gay rights in Botswana.
Throughout South Africa and other countries in the region, fear and uncertainty are clear. Some African leaders Participate in optimism and excitement About Trump’s second term. But now, it seemed that one of his first movements appeared to be dangerous.
“I am afraid,” said a 19 -year -old student at South African College, born with HIV. It dates back to the nineties where people did not have enough medications to treat the disease. “
The student, who also asked not to be identified to protect her privacy, said that the clinic she went to in Johannesburg gave her three -month supplies from her anti -virus drugs on Wednesday instead of the usual six months. The officials indicated that they wanted to reserve some shares in case of shortening other clinics.
Pepfar does not provide a medicine for the South African health system, but it employs about 13,000 medical professionals, from doctors to health workers in society, responsible for ensuring testing people and requesting appropriate treatment. According to healthcare activists, according to healthcare activists.
Health workers and rights groups said that the lack of employees led to greater crowds in public clinics in South Africa, where about eight million people live with HIV and 5.7 million are receiving treatment.
In the midst of the chaos of freezing and Trump administration, many clinics remained closed on Wednesday, with medical workers who are not sure of the new rules and portable patients to secure their drugs.
Activists said that some patients were forced to wait 10 hours for treatment. There were also fears that some of the newly diagnosed patients with HIV, without consultants, would not manage their treatments properly or ask for help in the future.
“We are when you do this,” said Solang BAPTISTE, Executive Director of the International Coalition for Treatment, an organization that improves access to treatment for people with HIV.
South Africa is better than many other African countries. The government purchases most HIV drugs directly and depends on PePfar for only about 17 percent of the total HIV treatment budget.
The neighboring Botswana, who has received nearly $ 72 million of aid from Pepfar since 2003, has bought her treatment drugs, but work and financing has stopped significantly on local organizations.
Stanley Monjing said he cried when he learned of the Trump administration. Since 2005, Mr. Monjing, 78, has been running an organization in Mololol, in southern Botswana, since 2005. He provides support for children with HIV and often depends on Pepfar’s financing.
Mr. Monjing said he was concerned throughout the week that he will not be allowed to provide the opposite antiviral drugs for dozens of children, many of whom are an orphan, who depend on his organization for help. Mr. Monjing himself lives with HIV for 25 years and says he personally benefited from PePFar.
“I asked myself, how will these orphans remain alive? He said on Wednesday from the three -bedroom home that he uses for the center.” How will I help them? “” I have survived all these years because of America. “
At Healthplus 4 Men, the closed clinic in Aswatini on Wednesday, officials encouraged patients to go to a general hospital to search for medicines. But most patients were uncomfortable with this option.
HealthPlus is primarily treated with gay men, the population who was historically stigmatized in my lips. Many of his patients are afraid to go to the government -run facilities, as they worry that they will face discrimination. Sibosu Mazia, CEO of HealthPlus, said public hospitals often offer recipes that many patients cannot fill in, said Sealosplus CEO Mazia, CEO of HealthPlus.
Mr. Mazia said: “It is a sad moment for us.” “They want to know when this situation will change, when we open.”
Despite the concession issued by the United States government on Tuesday, Mr. Mazia said that his organization continues to block antiviral drugs that are provided with Pepfar as it awaits clarity from financiers for what is allowed to do.
MSIZI MKHABELA, Healuse Operations Manager, added that the organization enhances diversity, fairness and integration by supporting the equal transaction of gay men. This task can contradict the freezing of the Trump administration in such programs and the clinic may expose the clinic to be more permanently disposed of.
In addition to medications, healthplus also has mobile clinic programs and continues to ensure the testing of people who live in rural areas and receive HIV treatment, and the organization considers these programs an essential part of its efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. But all of this was suspended because the financing came from Pepfar and HealthPlus is not sure of the permitted activities to continue.
Mr. Makhabila said: “We are literally shaking and anxious.” “Very frustrated.”
IPhone Moka contributed to reporting from Mololol, Botswana, For forget From London and Golden Matonga From Blancire, Malawi.
