The suspension of billions of dollars in overseas aid from the US has impacted programs targeting HIV, polio, mpox, and bird flu, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) director.
President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), deeming its expenditures “totally unexplainable.”
Nevertheless, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is appealing to the Trump administration to reinstate aid until alternative solutions are established.
Dr. Tedros reported that HIV services have been interrupted in 50 countries, during a briefing on Wednesday.
In his first public comment on the cessation of US aid, at a virtual press conference in Geneva, Dr. Tedros expressed concern over US government actions that are adversely affecting global health.
He highlighted the suspension of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, noting its cessation of HIV-related treatment, testing, and prevention in 50 countries.
He noted that despite some attempts at mitigation, the disruption to life-saving services continues.
“Clinics have been shuttered and health workers have been put on leave,” Dr. Tedros said.
Global health experts have raised alarms about the potential for disease spread and delays in vaccine and treatment development due to these funding cuts.
President Trump has criticized USAID as “incompetent and corrupt.” He has also announced significant reductions to the agency’s workforce of 10,000 employees and halted nearly all its aid programs.
USAID annually allocates approximately $40 billion, which is about 0.6% of the total US government spending per year, predominantly towards health initiatives.
The bulk of USAID’s funding is directed at projects in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe, with significant efforts in Ukraine.
Elon Musk, involved in efforts to downsize the federal government, has described the aid agency as “a criminal organization.” Neither Trump nor Musk has provided clear evidence to support their claims.
In addition to freezing USAID funds, President Trump has initiated the withdrawal of the United States from the WHO.
Under the previous Biden administration, the US was the largest contributor to the UN health agency, providing nearly one-fifth of its budget in 2023.
Dr. Tedros pointed out that Trump’s actions are hampering international cooperation on global health threats and noted a decrease in US reporting of human bird flu cases.
The WHO has implemented emergency measures akin to those during the Covid pandemic to address shortages, such as in antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment.
Meg Doherty, director of the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection programs, emphasized the ongoing efforts to facilitate the exchange of essential medicine supplies among nations.
However, she stressed the need for a more sustainable, long-term solution, acknowledging, “We have been seeking support from country to country for sharing, but this is a short-term approach.”
