The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has committed N$1.6 billion for the year 2023.

PEPFAR has invested over N$27 billion in Namibia over the past 18 years, says the US Global Aids Coordinator, Ambassador John Nkengasong.

PEPFAR focuses on expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care interventions.

Having partnered with the Namibian government for the past 18 years, PEPFAR has once again announced its investment for 2023.

"PEPFAR is committed in this COPS season to invest over N$1.6 billion. I use that number to assure you that when we discuss sustainability, it is not in the light of us handing over a programme. It is in the spirit of joint responsibility and joint accountability as we move past 2030, said US Global AIDS Coordinator Amb. John Nkengasong.

Even though donor funding for HIV is being reduced as the years progress, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, says prior consultation with the affected governments is of the utmost necessity.

"These programmes are an integral part of the government's developmental strategy, proper planning and implementation will ensure the continuity of activities. Any reduction in the level of external funding must be done in consultation with the ministry to allow for proper preparation."

During his visit to Namibia, Ambassador Nkengasong visited the Katutura Intermediate Hospital, where he engaged with beneficiaries of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV programme.

"Yesterday, at the Katutura State Hospital, I was impressed to see these women who came with us to have a dialogue, and I was honoured to have in my arms one or two of the babies that were HIV-negative, born from HIV-positive mothers who are by themselves very healthy." The smiles they had on their faces told me that they were healthy. They told me that those ladies were carrying the future of your great country in their hands." 

2023 marks 20 years of PEPFAR's existence.