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Washington D.C. – The Trump administration has temporarily halted funding for a critical HIV treatment program that supports Africa and other developing countries, according to a memo obtained by The New York Times. This suspension, lasting 90 days, follows an executive order by President Trump that mandates all government divisions overseeing foreign development assistance programs to cease disbursing funds.
The pause is part of an initial review of foreign aid, which is slated to conclude within 85 days. However, final decisions regarding funding allocations could take as long as 180 days.
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a $7.5 billion program overseen by the State Department, was originally scheduled for reauthorization in 2023. Despite facing pressure from some Republican factions to end the program, PEPFAR was renewed for an additional year. The program is instrumental in providing HIV/AIDS treatment to millions across the globe, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
The funding pause has raised concerns among public health experts and advocates. Jirair Ratevosian, Ph.D., former chief of staff for PEPFAR under the Biden administration, warned of the potential consequences of this interruption. “Any prolonged pause in funding could disrupt HIV treatment programs, leading to treatment interruptions and the rise of drug-resistant HIV,” Ratevosian told The Times. “That’s playing with fire, risking progress that we’ve made over decades to control the HIV epidemic.”
The interruption in funding also presents a significant risk to the global effort to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis. Drug-resistant strains of the virus, which could emerge in countries affected by the funding delay, pose an additional threat to global public health, including the United States.
While the reasons behind the temporary freeze are tied to the Trump administration’s broader review of foreign aid, critics are calling for swift action to restore the funding, emphasizing the importance of continuity in HIV treatment efforts.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on sources obtained from The New York Times and public statements made by experts. The situation surrounding the pause in funding is evolving, and any updates will be reported as new developments occur.
