Many countries may run out of HIV drugs as US cuts aid

(CLO) The decision to suspend foreign aid by the administration of US President Donald Trump has caused serious disruptions in the supply of HIV treatment drugs in eight countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that these countries could soon run out of the drug, threatening the lives of millions of patients.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photo: WCC

Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and Ukraine could run out of HIV treatment supplies in the coming months without alternatives, the WHO said.

"This disruption could wipe out 20 years of progress in the fight against HIV," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference.

He warned that drug shortages could lead to more than 10 million new HIV infections and 3 million HIV-related deaths.

In addition to HIV, programs to combat polio, malaria and tuberculosis were also affected by the US decision to suspend aid, implemented shortly after Donald Trump took office in January 2025.

In addition, the WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network – which includes more than 700 facilities worldwide – is also at risk of closure, amid a resurgence of measles in the United States.

"The US has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws funding, this process is done in an orderly and humane manner, allowing countries time to find alternative funding sources," Mr Tedros stressed.

According to WHO, about 80% of essential health services supported by the organization in Afghanistan could be forced to close due to lack of funding.

As of March 4, 167 health facilities in Afghanistan were out of service. Without urgent intervention, that number could rise to more than 220 by June.

The US decision to leave the WHO is also putting the organisation in a difficult position. The US contributes about a fifth of the WHO's annual budget.

As a result, WHO has had to freeze recruitment and cut its budget. Specifically, the budget for emergency operations in the 2026-2027 period will be reduced from $1.2 billion to $872 million.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters, CNN, BBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/who-nhieu-quoc-gia-co-the-het-thuoc-dieu-tri-hiv-do-my-cat-giam-vien-tro-post338978.html