Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that the Department of Health will proceed with its planned R65.9 million NHI advertising campaign. This decision comes despite facing a severe funding shortfall for critical HIV/AIDS programmes. The Minister cited the need to combat "irrational and negative propaganda" surrounding the NHI as the primary reason for continuing the campaign.
HIV Funding Gap Sparks Concern as NHI Advertising Campaign Proceeds
The decision comes as the Health Department grapples with the significant financial impact of US President Donald Trump's cuts to foreign aid. These reductions have drastically affected funding channelled through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This has led to the cessation of services provided by several non-governmental organisations crucial to South Africa's HIV/AIDS response.
The department is actively seeking emergency funding from the National Treasury to bridge the gap left by the US cuts. Figures presented to Parliament earlier this year indicated an anticipated R6.27 billion from the US government for the 2025/26 fiscal year. This highlights the scale of the current challenge. Recent modelling studies commissioned by the department itself estimate that the termination of Pepfar funding could potentially lead to between 150,000 and 295,000 additional HIV infections by the end of 2028.
Justification for the NHI Advertising Campaign
In a written parliamentary response to questions from Action SA MP Kgosi Letlape, Motsoaledi said there is no intention to end the NHI advertising campaign. There is also no plan to redirect that funding towards the funding shortfall. He said that with the ongoing irrational and negative propaganda against NHI, the department believes it is important to continue directing efforts. This will provide accessible information. It is aimed to educate and empower the public about NHI and the benefits of universal health coverage.
No Fund Diversion from NHI Grants
Motsoaledi also addressed whether funds allocated through conditional grants specifically for NHI could be redirected to shore up HIV/AIDS programmes. He rejected this possibility, stating that the department values all patients equally. Hence, there is no wisdom, value, or gain in shifting money from one group of patients to another. The conditional grants allocated towards NHI are for specific interventions.
He explained that these interventions include contracting healthcare professionals and developing essential health information systems. Implementing the centralised chronic medicine dispensing and distribution programme is also included. All these are key components of the NHI rollout. These interventions, he implied, are a separate priority from the communication goals of the NHI advertising campaign.
The Department of Health has yet to provide further comment on the potential long-term impact of the Pepfar funding cuts. There are also no contingency plans beyond seeking Treasury assistance at this time.