Ukraine among Countries where HIV treatment may end due to USAID cuts

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that in at least eight countries, medications for people living with HIV may run out due to the decision by US President Donald Trump to cut USAID programs.

Illustrative image. Photo: USAID

He said the reduction in direct funding to countries through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have a huge impact.   

Reuters news agency specifies that Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine are among the countries that may be left without HIV medication. According to Ghebreyesus, the disruption of HIV programs could reverse 20 years of progress and derail plans to end the epidemic by 2030, as previously stated by the UN.

“Disruptions to HIV programmes could undo 20 years of progress, leading to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and 3 million HIV-related deaths,” the WHO Director stated.

Among Ukrainians, three people die every day from complications caused by AIDS, and at least 30% still do not know their positive HIV status.

The cessation of US aid will affect not only HIV but also other diseases, such as measles and rubella. For example, the WHO network for these diseases consists of more than 700 laboratories, which mainly received funding from the United States. They now “face imminent closure.”

“Since 1974, measles vaccines have saved nearly 94 million lives, but those gains are also at risk.,” Ghebreyesus said.

Earlier in March, the United States officially announced the closure of most USAID programs. Due to this decision in Ukraine, the Norwegian Refugee Council has temporarily suspended its work. ZMINA reported on how the cut in American aid will affect socially important Ukrainian projects and who “rejoices” at such changes.

The United States officially announced the closure of most USAID programs earlier in March. Due to this decision, the Norwegian Refugee Council has temporarily suspended its work in Ukraine. ZMINA reported on how the cut in American aid will affect socially important Ukrainian projects and who “rejoices” at such changes.