The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm on a crisis unfolding in eight countries, where U.S. foreign aid has been paused, severely disrupting the supply of HIV treatments. Apexnewsgh reports
The affected nations, including Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Haiti, and Ukraine, are facing a dire situation, with supplies expected to run out in the coming months.
At a press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that setbacks in HIV treatment programs could have catastrophic consequences, reversing two decades of progress. The numbers are staggering: over 10 million new HIV infections and three million HIV-related deaths are potential outcomes if the situation isn’t addressed.
The foreign aid freeze, implemented shortly after President Donald Trump took office, has also impacted efforts to combat other diseases, including polio, malaria, and tuberculosis. The WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, comprising over 700 sites worldwide, faces potential shutdown, even as measles cases rise in the United States.
Ghebreyesus urged the U.S. to ensure that any withdrawal of funding is conducted in a structured and humane manner, allowing affected countries time to find alternative financial support. The situation in Afghanistan is equally dire, with funding shortages threatening to force 80% of WHO-backed healthcare services to shut down. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had already closed, with more than 220 at risk of shutting down by June unless urgent action is taken.
The U.S. decision to exit the WHO has also forced the agency to implement hiring freezes and budget cuts. The WHO announced a reduction in its emergency operations funding target from $1.2 billion to $872 million for the 2026-2027 budget period, further exacerbating the crisis.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
