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Funding Disruptions Threaten HIV, Polio, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Programs, WHO Urges Immediate Action
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the severe impact of the Trump administration’s decision to pause U.S. foreign aid, warning that it has significantly disrupted the supply of HIV treatments in multiple countries. According to the global health body, eight nations—Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine—are at risk of running out of critical HIV medications within the coming months.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the grave consequences of these disruptions, stating that they threaten to undo two decades of progress in combating HIV. He warned that if these supply shortages are not urgently addressed, the world could witness over 10 million new HIV infections and up to three million HIV-related deaths.
The pause in U.S. foreign aid has not only affected HIV programs but has also had far-reaching consequences on efforts to combat other major diseases, including polio, malaria, and tuberculosis. The suspension of aid, implemented by former President Donald Trump shortly after assuming office in January, has put millions of lives at risk.
In addition to the setbacks in HIV treatment and disease control, the WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which consists of more than 700 sites worldwide, is on the brink of shutting down. This development comes at a critical time when measles cases are resurging in the United States, raising concerns about the potential for widespread outbreaks.
Ghebreyesus stressed the need for the U.S. government to ensure that any withdrawal of direct funding is conducted in a manner that allows affected countries to seek alternative sources of financial support. He highlighted the responsibility of the United States to prevent abrupt disruptions that could endanger millions of lives and derail global health initiatives.
The funding crisis has also had severe implications for healthcare services in Afghanistan. The WHO stated in a separate report that approximately 80% of the essential health services it supports in the country are at risk of shutting down due to financial constraints. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had already ceased operations, and without immediate intervention, over 220 more facilities could be forced to close by June. This would leave millions of people without access to basic medical care, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Beyond the immediate impact on health programs, the U.S. government’s decision to withdraw from the WHO has further strained the organization’s financial stability. Historically, the United States has been a significant contributor to the WHO’s budget, accounting for approximately 20% of its total annual funding. The sudden loss of this financial support has forced the agency to take drastic measures, including freezing hiring and implementing budget cuts to sustain its operations.
To cope with the shortfall, the WHO announced plans to reduce its funding target for emergency operations in the upcoming budget cycle. The agency will cut its financial goal from $1.2 billion to $872 million for the 2026-2027 period. This reduction in funding could severely impact the WHO’s ability to respond to global health emergencies, potentially undermining critical efforts to combat infectious diseases and support vulnerable populations.
The pause in U.S. foreign aid and the subsequent financial struggles faced by the WHO come at a time when global health challenges are mounting. The resurgence of infectious diseases, coupled with the ongoing threat of emerging health crises, underscores the urgent need for stable and reliable funding mechanisms. Public health experts and international organizations have urged the U.S. government to reconsider its approach, warning that the consequences of prolonged funding shortages could be catastrophic for millions of people worldwide.
In the face of these challenges, global health advocates continue to call for coordinated efforts to ensure the sustainability of essential health programs. Alternative funding sources, increased contributions from other nations, and innovative financing mechanisms have been suggested as potential solutions to mitigate the impact of the U.S. aid suspension.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely watching the developments surrounding U.S. foreign aid policies and their broader implications for global health. The WHO and other health organizations remain committed to addressing the crisis, but without urgent financial support, the progress made in disease prevention and treatment over the past two decades could be at serious risk of being undone.