HIV treatment shortages hit Nigeria, Kenya, other African countries amid USAID freeze

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the potential shortage of HIV treatments in eight countries, including Nigeria, following the Trump administration’s decision to pause U.S. foreign aid.

The funding freeze has “substantially disrupted” the supply of life-saving medications, putting millions of lives at risk.

The affected countries—Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine—could soon face critical shortages of HIV drugs, the WHO stated on Monday. The organization warned that the disruption could reverse two decades of progress in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

“The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned at a press conference.

The U.S. aid freeze, implemented by President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration in January, has also impacted efforts to combat other diseases, including polio, malaria, and tuberculosis. Additionally, the WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which operates over 700 sites worldwide, is at risk of shutting down due to funding cuts. This comes amid a resurgence of measles cases in the United States.

Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a responsible approach to funding withdrawal, stating, “The United States has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws funding, it does so in an orderly and humane way that allows affected countries to find alternative resources.”

The consequences of the funding freeze extend beyond HIV treatment shortages. In Afghanistan, 167 health facilities have already closed due to funding shortages as of March 4, with over 220 more at risk of shutting down by June if urgent intervention is not provided. WHO estimates that 80% of its supported essential healthcare services in Afghanistan are now in jeopardy.

The U.S. decision to withdraw from the WHO has further strained the organization’s operations. The WHO, which typically receives about 20% of its annual funding from the U.S., has been forced to freeze hiring and implement budget cuts.

The Trump administration’s move to cut support for international health programs was part of its broader effort to reduce administrative costs. However, the decision has sparked widespread concern and warnings about its far-reaching repercussions on global health initiatives.

The situation underscores the critical role of international funding in sustaining healthcare programs worldwide and highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions to prevent a potential public health crisis.