WHO Warns of Dire Consequences Due to U.S. Foreign Aid Pause

 

By  Billian Fatima 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a grave warning about the disruption of HIV treatments in several countries due to the suspension of U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration. According to the WHO, countries such as Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine are at risk of running out of life-saving HIV medications in the coming months.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concerns, stating that these disruptions could reverse decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. "The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress," Ghebreyesus said during a press conference, highlighting the potential consequences of these funding cuts, including an additional 10 million HIV cases and 3 million HIV-related deaths.

The halt in U.S. foreign aid, which began shortly after President Donald Trump assumed office in January, has not only impacted HIV treatment programs but has also affected efforts to combat other major health threats, such as polio, malaria, tuberculosis, and measles. The WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which operates over 700 sites worldwide, faces imminent closure due to the funding shortfall. This comes at a time when measles is experiencing a resurgence in the United States.

Further compounding the crisis, the WHO has warned that funding shortages could lead to the closure of up to 80% of essential health care services in Afghanistan, which are supported by the organization. As of March 4, 167 health facilities in Afghanistan have already shut down due to lack of funding, and without urgent intervention, more than 220 additional facilities could close by June, leaving millions without access to basic health services.

The global health agency has called for immediate action to address the funding gaps, stressing that the impact of these cuts could be catastrophic, especially for the most vulnerable populations in developing countries. The situation is dire, with millions of lives potentially at risk if the necessary resources are not restored in time.

As the world grapples with these challenges, the WHO continues to urge global leaders and the international community to prioritize funding for essential health programs to prevent further setbacks in the global fight against HIV, polio, malaria, and other preventable diseases.

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March 18, 2025