NEW YORK, USA – The recent funding freeze by the United States is causing significant disruptions in the global AIDS response, with many clinics shuttering and health workers facing layoffs, as highlighted in a new situation report from a UN agency.
The report reveals that at least 55 countries have submitted status updates detailing the adverse effects of these funding cuts, impacting 42 projects supported by a key US initiative and 13 additional projects receiving US backing.
Following an executive order earlier this year that paused foreign assistance for 90 days, there were subsequent emergency waivers issued to allow for the resumption of crucial humanitarian aid, including HIV treatment. However, confusion persisted regarding the implementation of these waivers on the ground.
Reports from the week of February 17 to 21 indicated that while some clinical services, such as HIV treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, resumed, the sustainability of this funding remains uncertain.
Eligibility Concerns
Many programs are ineligible for waivers, notably those providing HIV prevention and community-led services for key populations, including young women and adolescent girls. This gap poses a serious risk as data collection and analysis services have also been disrupted, affecting the quality of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services globally.
Increased Workloads and Waiting Times
Health facility staff are facing greater demands, resulting in longer wait times for patients seeking lifesaving services. Additional challenges include strained health systems and unaddressed gender-related issues.
The situation report emphasizes that US-funded programs aimed at gender equality and support for transgender populations may not resume, further complicating the response efforts.
Dependence on US Assistance
The report underscores the heavy reliance on US foreign aid in the global AIDS landscape, with over half of HIV medications in several nations being procured with US funds. Prior to the funding freeze, the US accounted for two-thirds of international financing for HIV prevention efforts in low- and middle-income countries. The report identifies 20 nations most dependent on US support, including DRC, Haiti, and Zambia.
Critical Services Halted
Community-led interventions are vital to combatting AIDS and ensuring sustained progress. However, many essential services have ceased operations, including:
- Mozambique: Community workers vital for HIV testing are unpaid, halting services across the country.
- Tanzania: Young peer educators and health workers supported by US funding are facing temporary job terminations.
- Rwanda: HIV prevention services targeting high-risk populations are excluded from US waivers.
- South Africa: US-funded facilities like Engage Men’s Health, which support gay men, remain closed.
- Ghana: Civil society organizations backed by US funding have ceased operations for key populations.
