Over 220 000 Namibians living with HIV brace for US funding cuts

The health ministry says more than 220 000 Namibians living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) will continue to have access to life-saving medicines as the country adjusts to reduced US funding, but has warned that several support systems underpinning HIV services could come under pressure.Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya told Namibian Sun yesterday that government will continue funding antiretroviral (ARV) medications and providing HIV treatment at public health facilities.He stressed that the transition away from US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) support would not compromise patients' access to treatment.“Patients should be reassured that ART is an essential national health service and will not be treated as an optional donor-funded programme,” Kamaya said.However, he acknowledged that HIV prevention and testing, community-based services, technical support, monitoring and evaluation, clinical mentorship and other support programmes are among the areas most likely to face challenges as Namibia assumes greater responsibility for financing its HIV response.The US announced in a joint press release earlier this month that Namibia is set to receive about US$45 million (roughly N$730 million to N$750 million) in financial support for the 2027 fiscal year, before direct funding largely phases out in favour of technical cooperation.Kamaya, however, said Namibia would not necessarily have to replace the entire US$45 million from its national budget.“A detailed costing is required to determine which functions must be absorbed by the government, which can be integrated into existing health services, and which others can be supported through alternative funding measures, and where efficiencies can be achieved,” he said. High-pressure areasKamaya said HIV prevention and treatment services will continue to be provided at public health facilities across the country, with government also funding HIV testing kits and laboratory monitoring.While the availability of ARVs is considered secure, Kamaya said technical support, HIV prevention and testing, monitoring and evaluation and community-based services are the areas most exposed to the reduction in Pepfar support.He said measures are being put in place to prevent service disruptions, including integrating critical externally funded positions into government structures where feasible, prioritising scarce technical expertise and expanding social contracting with community organisations.Namibia already funds the procurement of ARVs through its national health budget, with development partners providing complementary support where necessary.Kamaya warned, however, that maintaining Namibia’s 96-98-98 achievement will require more than ensuring that ARVs remain available.“Testing and case finding, treatment initiation and retention, adherence support, viral-load monitoring, clinical mentorship, laboratory services, community engagement and a skilled health workforce will all be critical,” he said. Protect gainsKamaya said the ministry further identified the potential loss of experienced healthcare workers and technical experts, weaker clinical mentorship, reduced community follow-up, lower prevention and testing capacity, data-quality problems and laboratory gaps among the risks to sustaining the country’s HIV gains.Namibia has been preparing for the transition through its HIV sustainability framework, developed in 2018 and launched in 2019, and the broader sustainability roadmap for HIV, TB, malaria and viral hepatitis.Namibia’s broader HIV strategy targets epidemic control by 2028 and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Over 220 000 Namibians living with HIV brace for US funding cuts

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-18

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Over 220 000 Namibians living with HIV brace for US funding cuts

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-18

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