January 29, 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced serious concerns regarding the potential global threat posed by the recent funding pause for HIV programs in low- and middle-income countries.
This funding halt could significantly impact efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, jeopardizing the lives of millions who rely on these essential services.
In a statement released on January 28, 2025, WHO highlighted that these programs provide access to life-saving HIV therapy for over 30 million people worldwide.
The organization warned that a funding interruption could lead to increased risks of illness and death for those living with HIV, undermining prevention efforts in affected communities.
The WHO emphasized that prolonged funding cuts could reverse decades of progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, potentially bringing the world back to the devastating levels of infection and mortality seen in the 1980s and 1990s. At the end of 2023, approximately 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally, underscoring the urgency of maintaining support for treatment initiatives.
The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a flagship initiative established over two decades ago, has been instrumental in saving more than 26 million lives through its funding for HIV treatment.
Currently, PEPFAR supports over 20 million individuals living with HIV, including 566,000 children under the age of 15.
With the recent funding pause affecting PEPFAR’s operations, WHO has called on the U.S. government to allow exemptions that would ensure the continued delivery of critical HIV treatment and care to vulnerable populations.
WHO’s statement comes amid reports that the Trump administration has ordered international organizations to cease distributing HIV medications purchased with U.S. aid.
This directive has raised alarm among health advocates who fear that such actions will disrupt treatment for countless individuals and lead to a resurgence of new infections.
Jirair Ratevosian, former chief staff for PEPFAR during the Biden administration, remarked, This represents yet another domino in the catastrophic consequences of this harmful aid freeze, leaving countless lives in jeopardy.
As the global community grapples with these developments, WHO remains committed to supporting PEPFAR and national governments in managing transitions effectively to minimize adverse impacts on those living with HIV.
The organization is hopeful that urgent action will be taken to ensure that lifesaving treatment continues uninterrupted, safeguarding public health and preventing a return to higher rates of infection and mortality.
