Nigeria, seven others may face HIV drug shortages – WHO

HIV medication supplies in Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine have been affected by the United States' decision to stop foreign funding, the World Health Organization has warned.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, stated this at a press conference on Monday, pointing out that stopping foreign aid could endanger millions of lives.

He warned that "the disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress."

He said that the US foreign aid pause put in place by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January has affected efforts to combat HIV, polio, malaria, and tuberculosis, and that this setback could result in over 10 million new HIV cases and three million HIV-related deaths.

The Federal Government revealed plans to bolster its domestic HIV response just days after Trump ordered the suspension of foreign help.

Under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity program, the Federal Executive Council authorized $1.07 billion on February 3rd to fund the healthcare sector reforms.

Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, stated that N4.8 billion was also approved by the FEC for HIV treatment.

The Nigerian Senate has approved an additional N300 billion for the health sector in the 2025 budget as part of government efforts to close the financial deficit.

The $200 million increased funding will go toward health initiatives that combat polio, HIV, TB, and malaria.

The head of the WHO, meanwhile, emphasized the impact on TB programs, pointing out that 27 Asian and African nations are experiencing major disruptions.

These, he noted, include a lack of diagnostic equipment, healthcare personnel, and failing data systems.

He pointed out that nine nations have already identified issues with TB medication supply chains and procurement, endangering the lives of those impacted.

"US support for TB services has saved almost 80 million lives over the past 20 years, but this progress is now at risk," he stated.

With more than 700 locations across the globe, its coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network is likewise in danger of closing, he continued.

Ghebreyesus noted that the US has a “responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws direct funding for countries, it’s done in an orderly and humane way that allows them to find alternative sources of funding.