Trump halts HIV/AIDS aid, endangering millions of lives.
The U.S. has paused the distribution of HIV drugs in foreign countries following an order from President Donald Trump to freeze foreign aid. The cuts impact the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a global health initiative launched by former President George W. Bush. This program is credited with saving over 25 million lives worldwide by providing treatment and prevention for HIV/AIDS.
According to Reuters, the Trump administration ordered U.S. contractors and aid partners to halt operations on Tuesday. A memo obtained by the news agency states that the freeze will affect lifesaving drug supplies for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis around the world.
Atul Gawande, former head of global health at USAID, expressed concern over the decision, saying
“This is catastrophic.” “Donated drug supplies are keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today.
The freeze is expected to have a massive impact, as the U.S. provides 42% of all global aid, according to United Nations statistics. With the halt in funding, millions of people relying on HIV treatment and other critical health services may face disruptions.
The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, raising concerns among global health experts about the future of programs that have helped combat deadly diseases worldwide.
Gawande further warned that stopping the delivery of these drugs will put patients at higher risk of getting sick and spreading the disease to others. He also told Reuters that he and other aid partners cannot distribute the drugs even if they already have them in stock.
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The cuts are expected to affect around 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV across 23 countries, according to Gawande.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid to conduct an “assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy.”
According to Reuters, the new administration also placed around 60 senior career officials at USAID on leave.
United Nations data shows that in 2023, the U.S. contributed $72 billion in aid, making up nearly half of all global humanitarian assistance.
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