The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent warning about the potential global health crisis following the United States’ decision to halt billions in funding for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programs. The funding freeze, ordered by the Trump administration, threatens the lives of millions worldwide, including thousands in Kenya who rely on the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Kenya, a long-term recipient of PEPFAR funding, was allocated Ksh43 billion in March 2024 to support HIV treatment programs through September 2025. The funding supports the supply of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), testing services, and community outreach programs essential for preventing new infections and managing the condition among those already affected. However, with the sudden suspension of funds, these crucial services are at risk, endangering progress made in controlling the HIV epidemic.
The WHO has strongly condemned the funding freeze, warning that it could reverse decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The agency expressed grave concerns that a prolonged funding halt would lead to an increase in new infections and deaths, potentially returning the world to the devastating HIV crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.
“A sudden and prolonged stop to programmes does not allow for a managed transition and puts the lives of millions at risk,” WHO stated. “Such measures, if prolonged, could lead to rises in new infections and deaths, reversing decades of progress and potentially taking the world back to a time when millions died of HIV every year globally, including many in the United States of America.”
Since its inception, PEPFAR has played a pivotal role in HIV treatment, saving over 26 million lives and providing antiretroviral therapy to more than 20 million people, including 566,000 children under 15. The program operates in over 50 countries, making it a cornerstone of the global HIV response.
Despite previous efforts to transition towards greater country ownership of HIV programs and reduced donor dependency by 2030, the funding cut disrupts these plans, leaving vulnerable populations in urgent need of alternative support. WHO is urging the U.S. government to reconsider the funding halt and introduce exemptions to ensure the continuity of life-saving treatment.
The funding freeze not only threatens immediate treatment for millions but also endangers scientific advancements, affordable medicine availability, and community-based HIV care models. WHO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting governments and global health partners in managing this transition effectively.
If alternative funding sources are not secured, millions could face treatment interruptions, exacerbating the global HIV crisis and undoing years of progress in combating the epidemic.
