WHO urges US to maintain support for HIV treatment programmes
Shortly after his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticised over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO). (AFP/File)
NewVision Reporter
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday urged the United States (US) to reconsider its decision to suspend funding for HIV treatment programmes in developing countries after President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on foreign aid.
"We call on the government of the United States of America to enable additional exemptions to ensure the delivery of lifesaving HIV treatment and care," the UN health body said on X, adding that it had "deep concern" over the funding pause.
Shortly after his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticised over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the WHO said it was reviewing its priorities ahead of the withdrawal of the United States, its largest donor.
With regards to HIV, the agency said on Tuesday that its programmes provided access to "life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide".
It said the US funding cuts, "if prolonged, could lead to rises in new infections and deaths, reversing decades of progress and potentially taking the world back to the 1980s and 1990s when millions died of HIV every year globally, including many in the United States of America".
Difficult times ahead
Among the affected countries of an aid freeze is Uganda where experts have warned of difficult times ahead. The experts say there will be far-reaching consequences for the decision, which has already seen some entities lay off workers whose emoluments were being funded by USAID-affiliated programmes.
For instance, the Church of Uganda says over 500 medical workers from its facilities have been laid off, which it says is likely to create a health crisis in the country. The Church relies heavily on external funding to support its health programmes.
The Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), which operates a network of hospitals and health centres across the country, is among the hardest hit with many facilities complaining about specialist health workers whose work was curtailed by the pronouncement.