Jakarta – The temporary halt of US foreign aid donations has had serious impacts on global health, including on programs for polio eradication, HIV treatment, and other health threats.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged the US to reconsider continuing its funding until a solution is found.
“There are actions taken by the US government… that we are concerned will have serious impacts on global health,” Tedros said in a virtual press conference from Geneva, as quoted by Reuters.
Efforts to combat HIV, polio, Mpox, and avian flu have all been affected by the freeze on US foreign aid, which was implemented by President Trump last month shortly after he took office while reviewing aid programs.
Specifically, Tedros stated that the funding halt for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has led to the immediate suspension of treatment, testing, and HIV prevention services in 50 supported countries.
“Although subsequent exemptions have allowed some services to continue, prevention efforts for high-risk groups have not been included,” he said.
“Clinics have been shut down, and healthcare workers have been laid off,” he added, noting that WHO is working to help countries address gaps in the supply of antiretroviral drugs.
The funding halt and termination of US agency contracts have also affected efforts to eradicate polio and tackle mpox, he stated. In Myanmar, nearly 60,000 people have lost access to life-saving services.
“We urge the US to consider continuing its funding at least until a solution can be found,” Tedros emphasized.
Besides freezing aid, Trump also withdrew the United States from WHO on his first day in office, impacting collaboration, particularly in combating outbreaks and influenza.
For instance, WHO has limited information about the spread of avian flu among dairy cows in the US, or human cases, although other WHO officials later confirmed that the US has met its obligations to declare cases under international health regulations.
Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director for pandemics and epidemics, stated that WHO has not received influenza reports from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since around January 24.
“We continue to reach out to US colleagues and government agencies. We have not received any response from them yet, but we will keep reaching out, and we hope the exchange will resume soon,” she said.
