South Africa is at the heart of the HIV pandemic. What happens now the money has been cut?
With 12% of the population living with the virus, Trump’s sudden withdrawal of funding stands to undo decades of progress
Lebo is very afraid. She used to go to a clinic where sex workers such as her could get HIV medication without facing discrimination. But the dispensary, in Johannesburg’s run-down central Hillbrow district, shut down in January, when Donald Trump cut US funding to the global HIV response.
“I’m weak. I’m an old woman,” says the 62-year-old. “So please, we need help; we are suffering.” Lebo, who only wants her first name shared, is now spending 30% of her monthly income of 1,500 rand (£62) on antiretroviral (ARV) medication.
Continue reading...© Photograph: Friedrich Stark/Alamy
© Photograph: Friedrich Stark/Alamy