The WHO has warned that Trump's suspension of U.S. HIV funding could cause major setbacks, disrupting treatment for millions worldwide, including 1.9 million Nigerians. The funding halt threatens decades of progress, increasing illness and deaths. WHO urges urgent action to prevent a public health crisis and sustain global HIV efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the suspension of U.S. funding for HIV programs in countries like Nigeria. The decision to halt support through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) threatens treatment access for millions globally, including over 1.9 million Nigerians.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that halting funding could lead to a significant rise in illness and deaths, reversing decades of progress in the global fight against HIV. A disruption in treatment could undermine scientific developments, affordable medicine access, and community-driven care models vital to the fight against the disease.
PEPFAR, which has been instrumental in combating HIV since its inception in 2003, has saved more than 26 million lives. In Nigeria, the program has invested over $7.8 billion to improve access to HIV treatment, expand healthcare systems, and reduce infection rates.
WHO has called on the U.S. government to reconsider the decision and ensure continued support to prevent a major setback in the global fight against HIV. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working with national governments and international partners to mitigate the potential health crisis and ensure uninterrupted access to treatment.
