Eight countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Lesotho, are at risk of running out of essential HIV drugs following the recent decision by the US government to pause foreign aid. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the potential consequences of this move, warning that disruptions to HIV programs could reverse decades of progress in combating the disease.
The US government announced the freeze on foreign aid as part of a broader review into government spending. This action has placed millions of lives in jeopardy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 25 million people are living with HIV. The WHO has warned that the disruption of life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) drug supplies could lead to more than 10 million additional HIV infections and three million HIV-related deaths, more than tripling the number of deaths recorded last year.
Among the affected nations are Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali, as well as Haiti and Ukraine. These countries are expected to face critical shortages of ARVs in the coming months, putting millions of HIV-positive individuals at risk of health complications and potential loss of life.
The executive order leading to the aid freeze paused foreign aid for an initial period of 90 days in alignment with an “America First” policy. This decision has severely impacted global health programs, causing a disruption in the shipment of essential medical supplies, including HIV drugs. The majority of programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have since been terminated.
Despite a waiver issued in February to support the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the initiative has still suffered setbacks. PEPFAR, which has been instrumental in providing HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services in over 50 countries, has seen a severe reduction in its operations. Established in 2003, PEPFAR has been credited with saving over 26 million lives worldwide, particularly in some of the world’s poorest regions.
The foreign aid freeze has also led to the cessation of critical services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention, leaving vulnerable populations without necessary medical care. This has exacerbated fears that the progress made in combating HIV/AIDS over the past two decades could be undone in a matter of months.
In addition to the aid freeze, the US government also announced its decision to withdraw from the WHO, further affecting funding for global health initiatives. While acknowledging that the US has historically been a major contributor to global health programs, WHO officials have emphasized the need for a responsible transition strategy if funding is withdrawn. Without an organized effort to find alternative sources of funding, affected countries could face severe health crises.
In Nigeria alone, nearly two million people are living with HIV, many of whom rely on donor-funded medicines for their survival. Kenya also has a high burden of the disease, with around 1.4 million people living with HIV, making it the seventh-largest affected country globally. The loss of international support could be devastating for these populations.
Health experts and international organizations have urged the US government to reconsider its stance on global health funding. In addition to saving millions of lives worldwide, continued support for global health initiatives plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases across international borders.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding HIV drug supplies highlights the fragility of health systems in many low-income countries and the need for sustainable funding solutions to ensure that life-saving treatments remain accessible to those in need. Without immediate intervention, the impending drug shortages could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people living with HIV around the world.
