By Joyce Ojanji
If the proposed reductions in foreign aid funding continue, global fatalities and new cases of HIV/AIDS might rise to unprecedented levels not seen since early this century, warns an expert group, potentially reversing years of advancements.
A
study
published in the journal
The Lancet HIV
Estimations suggest that between 4.4 million and 10.8 million extra new HIV infections may occur by 2030 in low- and middle-income nations, along with 770,000 to 2.9 million additional HIV-related fatalities among both children and adults.
The government under U.S. President Donald Trump has cut off assistance for global humanitarian efforts—this includes pulling out of the World Health Organization and suspending funds for programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Other significant global contributors, like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, along with the U.S., make up more than
90 percent
Of global assistance, they’ve similarly declared intentions to enforce considerable reductions in international aid.
The researchers suggest that this might result in a collective decrease of 24 percent in worldwide international HIV funding by 2026.
“We will witness its return and observe people succumbing to it much like we did during the ’90s and 2000s. If other donor nations cut their contributions, years of efforts aimed at treating and preventing HIV might be undone. Ensuring consistent financial support is crucial to prevent a revival of the HIV outbreak, with potential catastrophic impacts beyond Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting the world,” stated Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
Traditionally, the United States has taken the lead as the biggest financier of the worldwide HIV response, contributing over
US$100 billion
since it was launched through PEPFAR in 2003.
Nonetheless, reductions in funding for PEPFAR and USAID-backed programs have already significantly interrupted access to crucial HIV services, such as antiretroviral therapy and HIV prevention and testing measures, according to Debra ten Brink from the Burnet Institute in Australia, who is a co-lead author of the study.
Individually, the leader of the United Nations organization managing the battle against HIV/AIDS cautioned that without renewed support, an extra 6.3 million individuals will perish over the coming four years. She stated this figure marks a “tenfold rise” compared to the 600,000 AIDS-linked fatalities documented worldwide in 2023.
Byanyima also forecasted an extra 8.7 million new cases—an increase from approximately 1.3 million new cases worldwide in 2023.
According to the researchers, the most significant effects would probably be observed in Sub-Saharan Africa and within marginalized groups such as individuals who use injection drugs, sex workers, men engaging in same-sex relationships, and children.
They advocated for a multifaceted strategy to mitigate the impacts of abrupt funding reductions and foster enduring stability.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
