Trump’s HIV Funding Freeze Could Reverse Global Progress, Warns WHO
By NIGPOST
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarms about the potential dangers of halting funding for HIV programs in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries.
This funding suspension is a result of changes under the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a pivotal initiative that has been addressing the global HIV crisis for over 20 years.
The WHO warns that the freeze will disrupt vital HIV programs, directly impacting millions of lives that rely on regular access to antiretroviral treatment (ART).
Currently, over 1.9 million Nigerians are receiving this life-saving treatment.
Threat to HIV Programs and Global Health
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, expressed grave concern about the funding cut, stressing that it threatens to reverse decades of progress in the fight against HIV.
He stated that such measures could set back efforts to control the virus, ultimately increasing the risk of illness and death.
He explained that, if the funding freeze persists, it could undo the advances made since the 1980s and 1990s, a period when millions of lives were lost annually to HIV-related causes.
The funding suspension could also hinder the fight against new infections and the spread of the virus within communities.
PEPFAR’s Impact in Nigeria
Since its launch in 2003, PEPFAR has been instrumental in combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria, investing over $7.8 billion to improve the country’s health systems and expand access to treatment.
Through PEPFAR’s efforts, the number of antiretroviral treatment sites has increased from 25 in 2001 to over 1,000 today. As a result, the rate of HIV infection in Nigeria has dropped from 5.1% in 2001 to 1.4% in 2018.
PEPFAR’s goal is to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health issue by 2030, with an emphasis on meeting the 95-95-95 targets, which aim to diagnose, treat, and sustain HIV treatment for affected individuals.
Call for Exemptions to Ensure Continuity of Treatment
WHO has urged the Trump administration to introduce exemptions that would ensure the ongoing delivery of lifesaving HIV treatment and care to those who need it most, particularly in Nigeria and other affected countries.
As the situation continues to develop, the global community must act swiftly to prevent a setback in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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