Inside government’s confused response to the US funding crisis

Inside government’s confused response to the US funding crisis

In late-January, the US suspended billions of dollars worth of international aid, including for HIV-related programmes in South Africa. The South African government could have responded by triggering an emergency funding mechanism but has failed to do so yet. In the meantime, activists, health researchers and even technical advisors to government are growing increasingly frustrated with the government’s lack of transparency on this issue.

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Inside the SAMRC’s race to rescue health research in SA

Inside the SAMRC’s race to rescue health research in SA

Health research in South Africa has been plunged into crisis with the abrupt termination of several large research grants from the US, with more grant terminations expected in the coming days and weeks. Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, head of the South African Medical Research Council, tells Spotlight about efforts to find alternative funding and to preserve the country’s health research capacity.

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Tongue swabs – Where might these experimental TB tests eventually fit in?

Tongue swabs – Where might these experimental TB tests eventually fit in?

While likely years away from widespread use, a test for TB that relies on a simple tongue swab instead of a person having to cough up sputum is showing promise. Elri Voigt takes stock of how the test works and asks experts what its future role might be.

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US funding cuts could cause over 150 000 additional HIV infections in SA by 2028 – new study

US funding cuts could cause over 150 000 additional HIV infections in SA by 2028 – new study

Top local researchers estimate that the cancellation of funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief could lead to a significant increase in HIV infections and deaths in South Africa. Jesse Copelyn reports.

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SA has world class medical researchers – they can and should be bailed out

SA has world class medical researchers – they can and should be bailed out

The sudden and severe US cuts to grants from the world’s largest health research funder threaten to unravel the medical research landscape in South Africa. A crucial question now is whether the government will turn this crisis into an opportunity for renewal, write Marcus Low and Nathan Geffen.

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Three common myths about US funding cuts to South Africa

Three common myths about US funding cuts to South Africa

There is no shortage of myths about the cancellation of US foreign assistance. This includes the widely held misconception that PEPFAR is exempt from US aid cuts and the belief that grant terminations are just taking place in South Africa. Many of these falsehoods have been reinforced by US and South African officials. Spotlight and GroundUp dissect some of the most popular misconceptions.

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Fears grow for R800 million cut to US funding of medical research in SA

Fears grow for R800 million cut to US funding of medical research in SA

Medical researchers in South Africa are in limbo as they wait to hear whether over R800 million in research grants from the United States National Institutes of Health will be terminated. South Africa’s top universities, which receive the bulk of the funding, will be particularly hard hit if the cuts materialise. Catherine Tomlinson reports.

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A jab that could protect against HIV for a year at a time, and other highlights from major conference

A jab that could protect against HIV for a year at a time, and other highlights from major conference

A single shot of a new formulation of the antiretroviral drug lenacapavir could potentially provide protection against HIV infection for as long as a year. Elri Voigt reports on this and some of the other exciting research on long-acting anti-HIV medicines presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

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“We’ll come to you”: HIV prevention project takes services to schools

“We’ll come to you”: HIV prevention project takes services to schools

Elzette Rousseau from the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation told attendees at the top HIV conference in The United States about a project taking HIV prevention services to schools in Cape Town. Biénne Huisman visited one of the sites to find out how it works.

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In-depth | How much does our HIV response depend on US funding?

In-depth | How much does our HIV response depend on US funding?

After the US slashed global aid, the South African government stated that only 17% of its HIV spending relied on US funding. But some experts argue that US health initiatives had more bang for buck than the government’s programmes. Jesse Copelyn looks past the 17% figure, and considers how the health system is being affected by the loss of US money.

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US funding cuts imperil search for HIV vaccine

US funding cuts imperil search for HIV vaccine

A groundbreaking project to study potential HIV vaccines in several African countries has been derailed by an abrupt cut in funding from the United States government. As a result, several promising vaccine candidates might not be tested in clinical trials. Catherine Tomlinson reports.

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