Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the immediate suspension of funding for HIV programs in low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya.
This funding, primarily provided through the United States
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), supports life-saving HIV
therapy for over 30 million people globally.
WHO warns that the funding pause will severely disrupt HIV
programs, jeopardizing access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for millions of
individuals. The organization has called on the United States government to
grant additional exemptions to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of these
essential treatments. Over 1.9 million Nigerians are currently reliant on ART
under PEPFAR-supported initiatives.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
expressed deep concern about the potential fallout, emphasizing that a funding
freeze could lead to a significant increase in illness and deaths among people
living with HIV. He also warned that prolonged disruptions could reverse
decades of progress in combating HIV and bring the world back to the 1980s and
1990s when millions died annually from the disease, including many in the
United States.
The WHO statement outlined the broader implications of the
funding cut, highlighting risks to scientific advancements and public health
partnerships. It also emphasized the importance of innovative diagnostics,
affordable medicines, and community-driven HIV care models that have been
central to global progress in HIV treatment and prevention.
PEPFAR, established in 2003, is the world’s largest health
initiative dedicated to combating a single disease. Over the past two decades,
it has saved more than 26 million lives and significantly contributed to the
global fight against HIV/AIDS. In Nigeria, PEPFAR has invested over $7.8
billion to expand access to treatment, strengthen healthcare systems, and
reduce the prevalence of HIV. The program has increased the number of ART sites
in the country from 25 in 2001 to over 1,000 today, helping to lower the HIV
infection rate from 5.1% in 2003 to 1.4% in 2018.
PEPFAR’s goals include eliminating HIV/AIDS as a public
health issue by 2030 and supporting countries like Nigeria in achieving the
“95-95-95” targets, which focus on diagnosing, treating, and maintaining
treatment for people living with HIV. WHO has stressed that a sudden and
prolonged funding halt undermines these efforts and puts millions of lives at
risk. The organization has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national
governments and global partners in managing this crisis effectively.
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