Washington: The Trump administration’s decision to withhold billions in U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS programs has triggered mounting concern from health experts, lawmakers, and advocacy groups who warn the move could reverse decades of progress in fighting the epidemic.
Nearly half of the $6 billion appropriated by Congress for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2025 has been withheld by the Office of Management and Budget, which has demanded a new spending plan with the State Department. The freeze, coupled with earlier executive orders halting foreign aid, has led to significant disruptions across Africa, the program’s largest beneficiary.
In South Africa, health officials report the closure of specialized clinics, job losses among thousands of health workers, and delays in testing and treatment services. Similar concerns are emerging in other countries dependent on U.S. support for antiretroviral drugs, diagnostic kits, and community outreach programs. UNAIDS has warned that without restored funding, the world risks millions of new infections and millions of additional AIDS-related deaths over the next five years.
The decision has also sparked political backlash in Washington. Senators from both parties have criticized the administration for blocking funds that were already approved by Congress, with some questioning the legality of the hold. Protests in the U.S. capital have called for the immediate release of funds, arguing that withholding money during a global health crisis puts lives at risk.
The Trump administration has argued that the spending pause is part of a broader review of foreign assistance.While certain waivers have been granted for lifesaving treatments, prevention programs, support for key populations, and community health initiatives remain severely disrupted.
As debates continue in Washington, the uncertainty has left frontline health workers scrambling and patients facing dangerous treatment interruptions.
Observers warn that the credibility of the United States in leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS is now at stake.