WASHINGTON (Enmaeya News) — The abrupt termination of U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS programs across Africa has led to dire warnings of increased mortality rates and job losses. The cuts, stemming from the U.S. government's decision to permanently end funding for such projects, have impacted a wide range of services, including those for orphans, pregnant women, transgender individuals, and sex workers.
Projections suggest that in South Africa alone, the loss of funding could result in 500,000 additional HIV-related deaths over the next decade. Thousands of healthcare workers and support staff are already facing immediate unemployment. The U.S. is slashing over 90% of USAID contracts and cutting $60 billion in foreign aid, affecting countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, as well as the UN’s UNAIDS program.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has received termination notices for projects supporting 350,000 HIV patients, including 10,000 pregnant women who rely on treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Experts warn that these cuts will be devastating, with some calling it a “death sentence” for affected communities.
Many programs had already ceased operations in January due to a 90-day review under the Trump administration, with only a few receiving temporary waivers. Projects funded through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have been hit particularly hard, despite their significant role in combating HIV, especially in South Africa, which has the highest number of HIV cases globally.
The funding cuts not only jeopardize treatment programs but also stall ongoing HIV research, including vaccine trials and the development of new prevention drugs. Services tailored to marginalized groups, such as transgender individuals and sex workers, are also at risk, as U.S. funding had helped provide care in a stigma-free environment.
With U.S. support vanishing, activists and healthcare professionals are urging local governments to intervene. However, the abrupt withdrawal has disrupted planned transitions to government funding, leaving many organizations in crisis. Healthcare workers, including thousands at the Anova Health Institute, face immediate layoffs, raising concerns about the broader impact on health systems and services in the region.
