In a move that has sparked widespread concern, the United States government has halted funding for HIV treatment programs in Nigeria and other developing countries.
This decision follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump, directing all agencies managing foreign aid to temporarily pause fund distribution.
The suspension affects the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a crucial US initiative that provides life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to over 20.6 million people globally.
PEPFAR has been instrumental in saving 26 million lives since its launch and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of global health efforts.
According to US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce on Tuesday, in an explainer on the order said “The US is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.”
This statement has raised concerns among public health experts, who fear that the program could face complete termination under the Trump administration.
The funding suspension is expected to last for at least three months, unless PEPFAR is granted an exemption.
Nigeria, one of the countries most affected by HIV, is expected to be significantly impacted. With approximately two million Nigerians living with HIV, PEPFAR has played a vital role in providing life-saving medications and strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
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Since its inception, PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to Nigeria’s national HIV/AIDS response, saving countless lives and helping to control the virus’s spread.
Reacting, medical professional, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, in a post on Tuesday via X, warned that Nigeria cannot continue to rely on donations for its healthcare needs.
According to him, Nigeria may witness a rise in HIV, tuberculosis and malaria infections.
His words: “Now is the time to take our health system seriously. The second-best time was yesterday. Nigeria cannot continue to depend on donations for its own healthcare.
He highlighted the severe impact of the funding cut, particularly on people living with HIV in Nigeria.
“If you don’t treat HIV, almost everyone affected will develop AIDS,” he explained, stressing that antiretroviral drugs are crucial in suppressing the virus and preventing transmission.
“If Nigeria doesn’t rise to the occasion and take charge, infections will rise—currently close to 200,000 new infections every year. People will die from AIDS because drugs are not available
“These are just a snippet of the ripple effect. Let’s not forget that diseases like tuberculosis and malaria are being affected also by the pause of funding,” he posited
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