The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has cut health contracts globally, affecting programs that provide lifesaving care, including HIV/AIDS treatment, TB services, and maternal health initiatives.
The move which is part of President Donald Trump’s review of foreign aid under the “America First” policy, has sparked concerns about the collapse of critical health services in vulnerable communities worldwide.
A Review of President Trump’s Foreign Aid Review:
In January, President Trump ordered a 90-day suspension on all foreign aid to ensure projects align with the “America First” policy. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially assured that waivers would protect life-saving aid, a recent court document revealed that over 90% of programs have been terminated, including those tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal health.
USAID Cut Impact on Global Health Programs
The cuts have had a devastating impact on health programs worldwide. In South Africa, several major HIV/AIDS programs received termination notices, including those serving vulnerable groups like the LGBT+ community and sex workers. Also, global non-profits working on malaria and maternal and newborn health have had the majority of their contracts canceled.
Additionally, UNAIDS, the United Nations agency addressing HIV/AIDS, also lost its USAID funding. In Cambodia, Khana, an organization fighting HIV and TB, received a termination notice.
South Africa’s HIV Crisis: A Devastating Blow
South Africa, home to the world’s largest population of people living with HIV (approximately 8 million), has been hit particularly hard with this funding cut.
Francois Venter, Executive Director of the Ezintsha Research Centre in Johannesburg, described the cuts as a “devastating blow” to the country’s HIV response.
“The programs that received termination letters were among the most efficient and effective health delivery programs in the country,” Venter had said.
Global Health Experts Issue Warnings in Aftermath of USAID Funding Cuts
Beatriz Grinsztejn, the president of the International AIDS Society, warned that the cuts are dismantling critical health systems. “HIV treatment is crumbling. TB services are collapsing… Lives are on the line,” she said.
The termination notices sent to organizations said that their programs were “not aligned with Agency priorities” and continuing them was “not in the national interest.”
