By A Correspondent

In a shocking move, President Donald Trump has imposed a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid spending, including funding for HIV programs, putting millions of lives at risk. This decision affects the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a crucial program in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) globally.

“The US government has played a critical role in fighting HIV and TB globally, and this freeze could undo years of progress,” warns Dr. Madhukar Pai, a professor at McGill University. “I hope the global health community rallies to advocate for continued US support.”

PEPFAR, launched in 2003, has been instrumental in saving over 26 million lives, providing antiretroviral treatment for millions, conducting HIV testing, and supporting maternal and child health initiatives, particularly in Africa. The program operates in over 50 countries and has enjoyed bipartisan support across four presidential administrations.

The consequences of the funding halt could be catastrophic, with the Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) warning of unnecessary suffering and increased transmission rates.

Over 190,000 clinicians and healthcare workers worldwide rely on PEPFAR support, and the sudden halt could disrupt essential HIV treatment services, testing, and prevention efforts.

As Dr. Pai notes, this could be a wake-up call for global health to be less dependent on any single donor. “African nations, for instance, could use this moment to increase local manufacturing of essential medicines and vaccines, reducing reliance on foreign aid.”