WHO cries out over funding suspension for HIV programmes

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern about the implications of the immediate funding pause for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

In a statement released by the Agency stating that these programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide, revealing that globally, 39.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2023.

According to the Agency, “A funding halt for HIV programmes can put people living with HIV at immediate increased risk of illness and death and undermine efforts to prevent transmission in communities and countries.
“Such measures, if prolonged, could lead to rises in new infections and deaths, reversing decades of progress and potentially taking the world back to the 1980s and 1990s when millions died of HIV every year globally, including many in the United States of America”.

WHO said for the global community, this could result in significant setbacks to progress in partnerships, investments in scientific advances that have been the cornerstone of good public health programming, including innovative diagnostics, affordable medicines, and community delivery models of HIV care.

The agency called on the United States Government to enable additional exemptions to ensure the delivery of lifesaving HIV treatment and care.

Speaking on the PEPFAR’s legacy and current risks, the agency revealed that the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been a flagship initiative of global HIV response since its establishment over 20 years ago.
“The current funding pause for PEPFAR will have a direct impact on millions of lives that depend on the predictable supply of safe and effective antiretroviral treatment.

“PEPFAR works in over 50 countries around the world. Over the past two decades, PEPFAR funding has saved more than 26 million lives.

“Currently, PEPFAR is providing HIV treatment for more than 20 million people living with HIV globally, including 566 000 children under 15 years of age.

“Over the past year, PEPFAR and partners, including WHO, have been working on sustainability plans with countries for greater country ownership and reduced donor support up to and beyond 2030.

“A sudden and prolonged stop to programmes does not allow for a managed transition and puts the lives of millions at risk”.
WHO reiterated its commitment to support PEPFAR and other partners, as well as national governments, in managing change processes effectively to minimize the impact on people living with HIV.

It was reported that US government has suspended financial support for HIV treatment programmes in Nigeria and other developing countries following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

This decision has led to a 90day halt in disbursement from the President’s emergency plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a US initiative providing HIV/AIDS treatment across Africa and other regions.

The move stems from an executive order signed on Trump’s first day in office which directed all government agencies managing foreign development aids to pause the distribution of funds.

The PEPFAR, with an annual budget of $6.5 billion, delivers life saving HIV/AIDS treatment to over 20.6 million globally. Since it’s inception, the programme has reportedly saved 26 million lives, making it a cornerstone of global health efforts.