By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Rio de Janeiro, July 27, GNA – A study to be presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) has revealed that global funding cuts have led to widespread closures of HIV services.
The study said disruptions to the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) had affected children, key populations and locally led organisations.
The findings from the “PEPFAR Pulse Study” were presented at a scientific highlights press briefing ahead of AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study, which surveyed 166 implementing partners across 46 countries, assessed the impact of recent funding and policy changes on HIV service delivery.
It found that 52 per cent of PEPFAR implementing partners had at least one funding award terminated, while 77 per cent were required to restrict their activities to comply with new United States policies.
“The consequences included the closure of 1,714 HIV service delivery sites, among them are 1,010 public health facilities, 325 access points and 126 drop-in centres,” the study showed.
The study said organisations serving key populations, including sex workers, men who have
sex with men and other vulnerable groups, were the most likely to permanently discontinue services.
It also found that more than one in five HIV treatment providers had permanently stopped at least one clinical HIV care activity.
Researchers reported shortages of condoms, laboratory commodities, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicines and antiretroviral drugs following the disruptions.
A second study analysing newly released PEPFAR programme data showed that 77,163 fewer children received PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment globally in 2025 compared with the previous year, representing a 14.2 per cent decline.
The report said South Africa alone recorded a reduction of more than 30,000 children receiving treatment support, representing a 45 per cent decrease, with similar declines observed in several countries supported by PEPFAR.
Researchers called for urgent investigations and restoration of routine reporting systems to prevent further setbacks in HIV services.
Professor Kenneth Ngure, President-Elect of the International AIDS Society, said the findings showed that funding disruptions had produced “negative, far-reaching consequences,” particularly for vulnerable populations.
Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, President of the International AIDS Society and Co-Chair of AIDS 2026, said scientific advances in HIV prevention and treatment required sustainable financing and political commitment to reach those who needed them.
“Science is moving fast, giving us more powerful HIV prevention and treatment tools, but these advances cannot save lives if they never reach the people who need them, we require robust, stable financing and steadfast political commitment,” she said.
The findings have renewed calls for countries, particularly those reliant on donor support, to strengthen domestic financing, diversify funding sources and build resilient health systems capable of sustaining HIV services during periods of financial uncertainty.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Email: [email protected]