Trump admin halts global supply of lifesaving HIV, malaria drugs
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The freeze is intended as a 90-day pause, which means aid might resume once the review is complete.
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USAID humanitarian aid is stored at a warehouse next to the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 (AP)
The Trump administration has suspended the delivery of critical medicines for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, along with medical supplies for newborns, in countries supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). According to a memo reviewed by Reuters, the freeze is part of a broader halt on US foreign aid that began when President Trump took office on January 20.
Contractors and organizations working with USAID were instructed to cease operations immediately, multiple sources revealed. Among those affected is Chemonics, a prominent consulting firm that helps distribute essential medicines globally. The memo applies to programs supporting HIV treatment, maternal and child health, malaria prevention, and contraception.
"This is catastrophic," stated Atul Gawande, the former head of global health at USAID who recently left the agency. "Donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today."
Impact on Global Health Programs
The suspension is expected to disrupt access to treatments, putting millions of patients at risk of illness or, in the case of HIV, increased transmission. Gawande further warned that this could lead to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of diseases.
Organizations funded by the US, including those supporting 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV in 23 countries, have also been affected. Some have been instructed to halt operations at clinics or refrain from delivering supplies, even if those supplies are already available.
The freeze stems from an executive order by President Trump to pause foreign development assistance for 90 days while reviewing programs for efficiency and alignment with US policy goals. Additionally, approximately 60 senior career officials at USAID have been placed on administrative leave, further impacting the agency's ability to manage global health initiatives.
Critics fear the sudden suspension will undermine years of progress in combating global health crises and jeopardize millions of lives worldwide.
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