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Trump Administration Pauses Funding for Global HIV Program, Sparking Concern Among Experts

The Trump administration has temporarily halted funding for a critical HIV treatment program in Africa and other developing regions, causing alarm among public health experts. According to a memo obtained by The New York Times, the funding freeze is set to last 90 days and stems from President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid, which mandates a comprehensive review of all government foreign assistance programs.


The review is expected to be completed within 85 days, but final decisions regarding funding may take up to six months. In the meantime, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a $7.5 billion initiative managed by the State Department, faces uncertainty. Initially set for a five-year reauthorization in 2023, PEPFAR narrowly avoided a Republican-led push to terminate the program and instead received a one-year extension.

Expert Warnings Over Treatment Disruption

Public health experts have expressed grave concerns over the potential consequences of the funding suspension. Dr. Jirair Ratevosian, who served as chief of staff for PEPFAR during the Biden administration, warned of dire outcomes if the pause leads to prolonged funding delays.

“Any prolonged pause in funding could disrupt HIV treatment programs, leading to treatment interruptions and the rise of drug-resistant HIV,” Ratevosian told The Times. “That’s playing with fire, risking progress that we’ve made over decades to control the HIV epidemic.”

Ratevosian also cautioned that drug-resistant strains of the virus emerging in developing nations could pose significant threats to the U.S. and global health.

A Program Under Threat

PEPFAR has long been regarded as one of the most effective global health initiatives, credited with saving millions of lives by providing antiretroviral treatment and prevention programs in regions hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. The program’s uncertain future now threatens to undo years of progress.

The temporary funding pause adds to the challenges PEPFAR faces, as the program’s one-year reauthorization in 2023 leaves its long-term sustainability in question. Health and development experts argue that consistent support is essential to maintain the gains made in reducing HIV transmission and improving treatment outcomes.

Broader Implications

The decision to halt funding has drawn criticism for its potential ripple effects. Interruptions in treatment could destabilize healthcare systems in low-income countries, exacerbate the spread of HIV, and undermine global efforts to control the epidemic. Experts emphasize that such disruptions not only affect local populations but also pose a threat to the international community, including the United States.

As the foreign aid review progresses, advocates urge the administration to consider the far-reaching consequences of any funding reductions. “The stakes are simply too high to gamble with the lives of millions who depend on these programs,” said Ratevosian.

The coming months will reveal whether PEPFAR’s legacy as a cornerstone of global health can withstand this period of uncertainty.


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