By Ncaba Ntshakala
Eswatini and the rest of the world are on high alert following reports that the suspension of U.S. funding for HIV programs could result in 2,000 new infections daily and a tenfold increase in related deaths.
The United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS) has warned that if the frozen funds are not restored or replaced, millions of lives could be at risk.
The funding freeze, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump upon taking office, has caused severe disruptions in global health efforts, particularly in countries like Eswatini, where HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge.
The Trump’s administration placed a hold on nearly all U.S. foreign aid as part of the “America First” policy, with the State Department later clarifying that life-saving HIV work under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) would continue.
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However, UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima revealed that despite this assurance, the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
Many health clinics have shut down, thousands of healthcare workers have been laid off, and access to essential HIV services has been severely disrupted. Byanyima emphasized that the situation is already dire and is expected to worsen without urgent intervention.
UNAIDS estimates that if USAID funding does not resume in April or is not replaced by another government, an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths will occur within the next four years.
With 600,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded globally in 2023, this projection signals an alarming health catastrophe.
The impact of this crisis is deeply felt in Eswatini, where PEPFAR has played a critical role in providing treatment, prevention, and support services for people living with HIV.
A local health professional, Dr. Sibusiso Dlamini when speaking to this publication, expressed grave concerns over the potential consequences of this funding cut.
“Eswatini has made incredible progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and much of this has been due to international support, particularly from PEPFAR.
If this funding gap is not addressed, we will see an increase in new infections and a reversal of the gains we have worked so hard to achieve.
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People who rely on free antiretroviral treatment may find themselves without medication, which could lead to drug resistance and more AIDS-related deaths.”
The U.S. has been the largest contributor to UNAIDS, providing $50 million (E910 million) in core funding in the previous year, which accounted for 35% of the agency’s total budget.
The Trump administration, however, has defended the funding freeze, arguing that it aims to eliminate waste and save American taxpayers billions of dollars.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has downplayed fears of Washington abandoning foreign aid, stating that waivers had been granted to ensure the continuation of life-saving services.
Despite these assurances, UNAIDS and health experts fear that delays in resuming funding will have devastating consequences.
