Dorcas Wangira, an Africa health correspondent for BBC News, reported that the life of Mike Elvis Tusubira, a motorcycle taxi rider with HIV in Uganda, has been drastically affected by the recent halt in foreign aid by US President Donald Trump. The aid cut has left Mike and his wife unable to access life-saving medications and preventive measures, such as anti-retroviral drugs and PrEP, causing strain on their marriage.
Since the shutdown of funding from USAID, the couple has been unable to refill their medications, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and fear. Mike worries about the health of his wife, who is HIV-negative and relies on PrEP to prevent transmission. The sudden closure of the HIV programme he was part of has left him feeling lost and traumatised, unsure of how to continue his treatment and support his family.
The impact of the US funding freeze is not limited to Mike and his family – thousands of healthcare workers in Uganda and Malawi have been affected, with clinics closing and services coming to a standstill. The loss of funding has created a healthcare crisis in these countries, with many people unable to access essential medications and services.
Health experts warn that the withdrawal of US funding for global health initiatives could have devastating consequences, leading to a rise in Aids-related deaths and new infections. The situation highlights the challenges faced by low-income nations in achieving self-sufficiency in healthcare and the urgent need for continued support and funding to ensure global health security.