The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that eight countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Lesotho, could soon run out of life-saving HIV drugs due to the recent suspension of US foreign aid.
The freeze, announced by President Donald Trump on his first day in office in January, is part of a broader review of government spending. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that disruptions to HIV treatment programs could reverse two decades of progress, potentially leading to over 10 million new HIV cases and three million additional deaths.
Countries affected by the crisis include Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali, as well as Haiti and Ukraine. These nations rely heavily on US-funded programs to supply anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines to millions of people living with HIV. WHO officials warned that unless alternative funding sources are secured quickly, medical supplies could be exhausted within months, leaving patients at serious risk.
The aid freeze has particularly impacted the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a global health initiative launched in 2003 that has saved over 26 million lives. Although a waiver was issued in February to allow some PEPFAR operations to continue, logistical disruptions caused by the broader USAID shutdown have significantly weakened its ability to deliver HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services in more than 50 countries.
Sub-Saharan Africa, home to an estimated 25 million people living with HIV, is expected to bear the brunt of the crisis. In Nigeria, nearly two million people rely on ARV medicines funded through international aid, while Kenya has approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV, the seventh highest globally. Without intervention, thousands could face severe health complications, and the spread of the virus could accelerate.
President Trump’s decision to pause foreign aid for an initial 90-day period aligns with his “America First” policy, which prioritizes domestic spending over international assistance. While the US has historically been a major contributor to global health programs, the abrupt withdrawal of funding has caused widespread uncertainty and disruptions in the fight against infectious diseases.
Beyond HIV treatment, the funding freeze has affected broader health initiatives, including maternal and child health programs, tuberculosis treatment, and malaria prevention efforts. Many non-governmental organizations that relied on USAID funding have had to scale back or shut down operations, further worsening the public health crisis in vulnerable regions.
Dr. Tedros acknowledged that the US has the right to determine its aid commitments but urged the administration to ensure an “orderly and humane transition” that allows affected countries time to find alternative funding. He stressed that supporting global health initiatives is not just a humanitarian effort but also a measure to protect the US from potential outbreaks that could spread internationally.
Health experts and advocacy groups are now calling on the US government to reconsider its stance on global health funding. Many argue that restoring aid is crucial to preventing a catastrophic rollback in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring millions of people continue to receive the life-saving treatment they depend on.
