The US government has halted financial support for HIV treatment programs in Nigeria and other developing countries due to an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump.
This decision has caused a 90-day suspension of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a US initiative that provides HIV/AIDS treatment across Africa and other regions.
The move follows an order signed by Trump on his first day in office, directing all government agencies managing foreign aid to pause their fund distributions.
PEPFAR, which has an annual budget of $6.5 billion, delivers essential HIV/AIDS treatment to more than 20.6 million people globally. Since its launch, the program has reportedly saved 26 million lives, becoming a crucial part of global health initiatives.
According to NPR, this suspension of PEPFAR funding may last at least three months unless the program receives an exemption.
Public health experts are expressing concern about the long-term effects, with some fearing that the Trump administration may eventually terminate the program entirely.
A US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, was quoted saying that the US “is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.”
Nigeria, one of the countries most heavily affected by HIV, stands to be significantly impacted by this funding pause.
With around two million Nigerians living with HIV, PEPFAR has been vital in providing life-saving treatments and strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
Over the years, PEPFAR has contributed more than $6 billion to Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response, helping to save numerous lives and control the spread of the virus.
