The U.S. government has suspended funding for HIV treatment in Nigeria and other developing countries under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR. This follows an executive order on foreign aid signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office, directing agencies to halt disbursement of funds.
PEPFAR, with an annual budget of $6.5 billion, supports over 20 million people globally, including two million Nigerians living with HIV. Since its inception, it has saved an estimated 26 million lives.
However, the 90-day suspension raises concerns about Nigeria, one of the countries with the highest HIV burdens, which relies heavily on PEPFAR funding. Public health experts warn the program’s permanent halt could severely impact efforts to combat the virus.
While the U.S. State Department defends the decision as ensuring accountability, many hope Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s past support for PEPFAR could signal a change.
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