Millions of African lives are at risk because of the USAID shut down
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The impact of the Trump pause on HIV/AIDS treatment programmes in Africa: the Wanyama clinic, the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
The impact in Uganda has been more than just HIV. “The health centers have so far stopped doing cancer screening on mothers and no more enrolling of patients until further notice,” Brian says.
Many HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs funded by the US government, including many in Nigeria, remain shuttered despite the exemption from the pause to US overseas aid. Over 2 million people in Nigeria are living with HIV, with many relying on receiving aid-funded medicines to keep their viral load suppressed.
But for the dramatic events in Washington, DC, AbulMumini Isah and his team would have been plodding through the dusty streets of Northern Nigeria right now on a field study aimed at improving HIV treatment across the country.
Stopping antiretroviral treatment causes virus levels to rebound, making it possible for a person to transmit HIV — including through pregnancy to unborn children — and facilitating the evolution of drug resistance. A person is hoping that someone sees sense and doesn’t stop the AIDS treatment programmes.
The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, which focuses on AIDS research, says people haven’t had a chance to get alternative funding because of the sudden nature of this. The initial patient in the trial of HIV vaccines was supposed to be enroled this week. It is using its reserve funds to continue a trial testing whether a vaginal insertion can prevent HIV transmission.
As the Trump administration announces drastic policy changes, nowhere is the shock more palpable than in the field of global health. Scientists, medics and health officials say the outsize US influence on battling disease globally will be difficult to quickly replace.
The HIV clinic Wanyama visits has managed to continue delivering medications to its patients — although many clinics aren’t, say researchers. But drug supplies are being rationed.
Donald Trump caused a commotion last month, when he announced a freeze on foreign aid. Wanyama is one of the millions of people worldwide who have life-saving treatment funded by a US foreign aid programme.
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