LIVE UPDATES
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that Nigeria is one of nine countries on the verge of facing a shortage in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment supplies.
This situation arose after the Trump administration's decision to suspend United States foreign aid (USAID), which has significantly disrupted the availability of HIV treatments in these nations.
The pause in foreign aid has also affected efforts to combat HIV, polio, malaria, and tuberculosis, which were implemented by President Trump shortly after he assumed office in January.
According to a report from Reuters, WHO's Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, indicated that Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine may run out of HIV treatments in the near future.
Additionally, the WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, with over 700 locations globally, is also at risk of imminent closure amid a resurgence of measles in the U.S. Funding deficits may lead to the shutdown of 80% of essential healthcare services supported by WHO in Afghanistan, as noted in a different statement from the agency.
As of March 4, 167 health facilities have ceased operations due to lack of funding, and without immediate measures, over 220 additional facilities could close by June. The United States’ plans to withdraw from the WHO have compelled the UN agency, which typically relies on the U.S. for about 20% of its annual funding, to halt hiring and implement budget cuts.
WHO announced it would reduce its funding goal for emergency operations from $1.2 billion to $872 million for the 2026-2027 budget period.
