By Uzair Adam
The United States government has temporarily suspended financial support for HIV treatment programmes in Nigeria and other developing countries, following an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump.
This decision has resulted in a 90-day pause in disbursements from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a US initiative providing life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment across Africa and other regions.
The suspension is linked to an order signed on Trump’s first day in office, which instructed all government agencies overseeing foreign development aid to halt fund distribution temporarily.
PEPFAR, which operates on an annual budget of $6.5 billion, provides HIV/AIDS treatment to over 20.6 million people worldwide. Since its establishment, the programme has reportedly saved 26 million lives, making it a cornerstone of global health initiatives.
According to NPR, the funding halt could extend for at least three months unless PEPFAR secures an exemption.
Public health experts have expressed concern over the potential long-term consequences, including the risk of the programme being permanently discontinued by the Trump administration.
Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that the government “is no longer going to blindly distribute money without returns for the American people.”
In Nigeria, where approximately two million people live with HIV, the suspension could have devastating effects. PEPFAR has been instrumental in providing life-saving medication and improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
Over the years, PEPFAR has contributed more than $6 billion to Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response, saving countless lives and playing a pivotal role in controlling the virus’s spread.
The suspension now threatens to reverse these gains, sparking widespread concern among healthcare advocates and policymakers.