The World Health Organization has warned that the United States’ decision to cut off foreign funding has affected the provision of HIV drugs in Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine.
Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Ghebreyesus told a news conference on Monday that stopping foreign funding could put millions of lives at risk.
“The disruption of programnes for HIV could undo 20 years of progress,” he said.
He also said that the setback would cause over 10 million new HIV infections and three million AIDS-related deaths, and that the US foreign aid hold instituted by President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration in January has hindered efforts to combat HIV, polio, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Days after Trump ordered a halt on foreign funding, the federal government declared plans to increase its domestic HIV response.
On February 3rd, the Federal Executive Council approved $1.07 billion to fund healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity program.
The FEC also approved N4.8 billion for HIV treatment, reports Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
In an effort by the government to finance the financial gap, the Nigerian Senate has approved an additional N300 billion for the health sector in the 2025 budget.
The additional $200 million is meant to be spent on health programs such as tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, and polio.
Meanwhile, the WHO director-general noted the impact on TB programmes, with 27 African and Asian nations experiencing serious disruptions.
He cited shortages of health workers, diagnostics, and deteriorating data systems.
Nine nations have already reported TB drug procurement and supply chain challenges that put the lives of those affected at risk, he added.
“Over the past two decades, US support for TB services has saved nearly 80 million lives, but this progress is now at risk,” he said.
He added that its coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, with over 700 sites worldwide, also faces imminent shutdown.
Ghebreyesus noted that the US has a “responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws direct funding for countries, it’s done in an orderly and humane way that allows them to find alternative sources of funding.
