The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about an imminent shortage of life-saving HIV treatments in eight countries, including Nigeria, following the Trump administration’s decision to halt U.S. foreign aid.

The funding freeze has “substantially disrupted” the supply of antiretroviral drugs, jeopardizing two decades of progress in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

According to WHO, the affected countries—Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine—are at risk of experiencing critical shortages of essential HIV medications.

“The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress,” warned WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press conference on Monday.

Impact Extends Beyond HIV Programs

The U.S. aid freeze, implemented by President Donald Trump shortly after his January inauguration, has impacted not only HIV programs but also efforts to combat polio, malaria, and tuberculosis.

The crisis has also affected the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, a WHO-coordinated initiative with over 700 sites worldwide. This network now faces the threat of shutting down as measles cases resurge in the United States.

Dr. Ghebreyesus urged the U.S. government to take a “responsible approach” in its withdrawal of funding, emphasizing:

“The United States has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws funding, it does so in an orderly and humane way that allows affected countries to find alternative resources.”

Devastating Consequences in Afghanistan

The funding freeze is already having catastrophic effects in Afghanistan, where essential healthcare services have been severely impacted. Since March 4, 167 health facilities have been shut down due to funding shortages, with over 220 more at risk of closing by June unless urgent intervention is provided. WHO estimates that 80% of its supported healthcare services in Afghanistan are now in jeopardy.

WHO Faces Financial Strain After U.S. Withdrawal

The situation has been further compounded by the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the WHO, which previously relied on the United States for approximately 20% of its annual funding. As a result, the WHO has been forced to freeze hiring and implement budget cuts across multiple global health initiatives.

While the Trump administration has justified the funding cuts as part of a broader effort to reduce administrative costs, global health experts warn that these actions could have devastating repercussions.

Global Health Programs at Risk

The potential collapse of HIV treatment programs, along with mounting challenges in combating other infectious diseases, underscores the vital role of international funding in sustaining public health initiatives worldwide. Without immediate action to restore funding, millions of vulnerable individuals could face life-threatening consequences, and global health progress achieved over the past two decades may be reversed.