HIV Could ‘Surge’ and ‘Cost Lives’ if US Stops Funding: UN
UNAIDS Chief Warns of Catastrophic Consequences
The head of the U.N. AIDS agency, Winnie Byanyima, warned on Monday that the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if the United States stops funding the largest AIDS program. The warning comes after President Donald Trump’s announcement to freeze all foreign assistance for 90 days.
HIV Infections Have Been Falling
According to Byanyima, HIV infections have been falling in recent years, with just 1.3 million new cases recorded in 2023, a 60% decline since the virus peaked in 1995.
Catastrophic Consequences if US Funding Stopped
However, Byanyima estimates that if the US stops funding, there could be 8.7 million people newly infected with HIV by 2029, a tenfold jump in AIDS-related deaths – to 6.3 million – and an additional 3.4 million children made orphans. “We will see a surge in this disease,” Byanyima said. “This will cost lives if the American government doesn’t change its mind and maintain its leadership.”
Panicked and Confused
Byanyima pleaded with the Trump administration not to abruptly cut off funding, which she said has resulted in “panic, fear, and confusion” in many of the African countries hardest hit by AIDS. She highlighted the example of a Kenyan county, where 550 HIV workers were immediately laid off, and thousands of others in Ethiopia were terminated, leaving health officials unable to track the epidemic.
Nearly 90% of Funding Comes from the US
Byanyima noted that the loss of US funding to HIV programs in some countries is catastrophic, with external funding, mostly from the US, accounting for about 90% of their programs. Nearly $400 million goes to countries like Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
A Call for Collaboration
“We can work with (the Americans) on how to decrease their contribution if they wish to decrease it,” Byanyima said. She described the American withdrawal from global HIV efforts as the second biggest crisis the field has ever faced – after the years-long delay it took for poor countries to get the lifesaving antiretrovirals long available in rich countries.
New Prevention Tool: Lenacapavir
Byanyima also warned that the loss of American support in efforts to combat HIV is coming at a critical time, with the arrival of a new prevention tool known as lenacapavir, a twice-yearly shot that was shown to offer complete protection against HIV in women, and which works nearly as well for men. “Widespread use of that shot, in addition to other interventions to stop HIV, could help end the disease as a public health problem in the next five years,” she said.
A Mutually Beneficial Solution
Byanyima noted that lenacapavir was developed by the American company Gilead, and that international aid helped an American company to innovate, to come up with something that will pay them millions and millions, but at the same time prevent new infections in the rest of the world. “We appeal to the U.S. government to review this, to understand that this is mutually beneficial,” she said. “Why would you need to be so disruptive for that 1%?”
A Global Response
Byanyima said that so far, no other countries or donors have stepped up to fill the void that will be left by the loss of American aid, but that she plans to visit numerous European capitals to speak with global leaders. “People are going to die because lifesaving tools have been taken away from them,” she said. “I have not yet heard of any European country committing to step in, but I know they are listening and trying to see where they can come in because they care about rights, about humanity.”
Conclusion
The article concludes with a warning that the loss of American support in efforts to combat HIV could have catastrophic consequences, including a surge in new infections, a tenfold jump in AIDS-related deaths, and an additional 3.4 million children made orphans. The UNAIDS chief urges the Trump administration to maintain its leadership and support in the fight against HIV, emphasizing that it is a mutually beneficial solution that would also benefit the US.
FAQs
* What is the current situation with HIV infections?
HIV infections have been falling in recent years, with just 1.3 million new cases recorded in 2023, a 60% decline since the virus peaked in 1995.
* What are the potential consequences if the US stops funding the largest AIDS program?
There could be 8.7 million people newly infected with HIV by 2029, a tenfold jump in AIDS-related deaths – to 6.3 million – and an additional 3.4 million children made orphans.
* What is the current funding situation for HIV programs?
External funding, mostly from the US, accounts for about 90% of their programs, with nearly $400 million going to countries like Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
* Is there a new prevention tool available?
Yes, lenacapavir, a twice-yearly shot, offers complete protection against HIV in women and works nearly as well for men, and could help end the disease as a public health problem in the next five years.
