South Africa has announced a R600 million ($33 million) commitment, in conjunction with the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust, to bolster HIV research in light of funding cuts by the United States.
The three-year pledge to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) includes R400 million ($22.5 million) from the South African government and R100 million ($5.6 million) each from the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust. The combined funding will support research on diseases including AIDS and tuberculosis as well as mental health, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening.
“This is a critical moment for South African science and public health. The withdrawal of U.S. funding could have severely compromised key research programs that underpin our national response to diseases such as HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases,” said SAMRC president and CEO Ntobeko Ntusi. “We are immensely grateful to the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust for standing with us during this time, and to our government for swiftly stepping in to safeguard our research infrastructure and workforce.”
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