The administration of newly elected US President Donald Trump has ordered a suspension of life-saving drug supplies for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and neonatal care in impoverished nations, a service previously facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to Reuters, USAID contractors and partners began receiving directives from Tuesday, 28 January, instructing them to cease operations immediately.
This decision stems from an executive order signed by Trump on 20 January, which halted all US-funded global aid. The drug supply suspension forms part of this broader policy.
The administration has opted to review all countries receiving US assistance, with aid to remain suspended for at least 90 days until the review is completed.
One such directive was issued to Chemonics, a USAID contractor responsible for delivering medical aid worldwide, including essential HIV and malaria drugs.
Atul Gawande, former head of USAID’s Global Health division, described the decision as a catastrophe. “This is a disaster. US-donated medicines have sustained 20 million people living with HIV globally. That support has ended today,” he told Reuters.
Gawande warned that the suspension could lead to a surge in HIV infections while exacerbating the condition of those already suffering from the disease. He further noted that despite existing stockpiles, these life-saving medicines can no longer be dispatched to recipient countries.
