The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised urgent concerns over the potential disruption of HIV treatment programs in several African nations, including Nigeria, as a result of a freeze on U.S. foreign aid. The funding stoppage, initiated by the Trump administration, has significantly hindered the supply of critical HIV medications, placing millions of lives at risk across the globe.
The freeze has particularly impacted eight countries—Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine—which are now facing the threat of severe shortages of life-saving antiretroviral drugs, the WHO warned on Monday. This disruption, the WHO cautioned, could undo decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the potential setbacks, stating at a press conference, “The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress.” The freeze has also had a ripple effect on other global health initiatives, with significant setbacks in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, and polio.
The funding freeze was part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to reduce U.S. foreign aid expenditures. However, this withdrawal has had devastating consequences for health programs globally. In addition to its impact on HIV treatments, the freeze threatens to undermine the WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which operates over 700 sites globally. The organization also warned of a resurgence of measles cases, particularly in the U.S., amidst these financial strains.
Furthermore, the funding cuts have severely affected healthcare services in Afghanistan, where 167 health facilities have already closed due to funding shortages, with over 220 more at risk by June. WHO estimates that 80% of its supported healthcare services in the region are now at risk of collapse without immediate intervention.
Dr. Ghebreyesus further underscored the importance of a structured and humane withdrawal of U.S. funding, saying, “The United States has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws funding, it does so in an orderly and humane way that allows affected countries to find alternative resources.”
The freeze comes at a time when global health organizations, particularly the WHO, are grappling with the repercussions of a strained budget. The U.S. typically contributes about 20% of the WHO’s annual funding, and its withdrawal has led to hiring freezes and budget cuts within the organization. The broader implications of the funding cuts have ignited fears of a potential public health crisis, underscoring the vital role international aid plays in sustaining global healthcare programs.
The situation highlights the need for alternative solutions and international cooperation to prevent the collapse of healthcare systems worldwide.
Source:TheDotNews