Africa could face ARVs shortage after Trump halting funding for health initiatives
What you need to know:
- Prof Tibaijuka pointed out that acquiring ARVs commercially would strain national budgets, a challenge that many African countries, including Tanzania, may find difficult to overcome.
Dar es Salaam. Former Tanzanian Minister for Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, and former UN-HABITAT Executive Director, Dr Anna Tibaijuka, has issued a strong warning about the potential health consequences of US President Donald Trump's decision to halt funding for critical global health initiatives.
Posting on her X account (formerly Twitter), Dr Tibaijuka highlighted the significant risk posed to millions of lives, particularly in Africa, if programmes like PEPFAR and the Global Fund lose their funding.
She cautioned that access to life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, essential in combating HIV/AIDS, would be severely impacted, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.
“I urge the Ministry of Health to inform Tanzanians about the immediate steps being taken to assess this situation and implement appropriate measures,” Dr Tibaijuka said.
The former minister also called for immediate action at the continental level, suggesting that the African Union convene a special session to address the crisis and develop a united response.
“HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Africans, and the origins of the disease remain unknown. We must act to protect our people,” she said.
Dr Tibaijuka warned of the devastating consequences of reduced ARV availability, including a resurgence in HIV infections and increased mortality rates.
She pointed out that acquiring ARVs commercially would strain national budgets, a challenge that many African countries, including Tanzania, may find difficult to overcome.
“This situation is abrupt, and most affected individuals cannot afford to buy these medications for the rest of their lives. Their deteriorating health will lead to higher medical costs, deepening poverty and resulting in preventable deaths,” she explained.
She further urged governments to intensify efforts to prevent HIV transmission and seek sustainable solutions to safeguard vulnerable populations. “Without ARVs, infection rates will rise again. We must remain vigilant and proactive,” she added.
Dr Tibaijuka’s remarks highlight the urgency of addressing the potential fallout from a reduction in global health funding, particularly for programmes that serve as lifelines for millions across the African continent.
