U.S. President Donald Trump has put a stop to HIV funding and treatment programmes that support Nigeria and other developing countries.
The. U.S. State Department has officially paused financial aid from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for at least **90 days**—a decision that has sent shockwaves through the global health community.
The only exceptions to this funding freeze? Emergency humanitarian aid and military support for Israel and Egypt.
Defending the move, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “The United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.”
PEPFAR, originally launched by President George W. Bush in 2003, has been a lifeline for over 20.6 million people battling HIV/AIDS worldwide. With an annual budget of $6.5 billion, it has played a crucial role in preventing new infections and saving lives.
However, following Trump’s executive order on foreign aid signed on January 20, 2025, the program’s funding is now on hold—leaving millions uncertain about their future access to life-saving treatment.
With health experts and advocacy groups raising the alarm, all eyes are now on Washington as the world waits to see if this funding freeze will be permanent or reversed