The world has made significant progress in managing HIV, but a recent move by the Trump administration to freeze foreign aid for global programs like PEPFAR threatens millions of people’s access to life-saving medications. Without these drugs, HIV can spread rapidly, causing immune system collapse and increasing the risk of opportunistic diseases.
When HIV treatment is stopped, the virus begins to multiply again, making it more likely to become resistant. This can lead to a person’s symptoms worsening, and their body becoming increasingly vulnerable to illnesses that would otherwise be easily fought off.
The consequences are dire. Without access to HIV drugs, people with AIDS may only survive for three years. The risk of spreading the virus is also high, putting sexual partners at risk. Babies born to mothers with HIV can escape infection if treated promptly, but without treatment, they too are at risk.
The impact on communities like South Africa, which has the highest number of HIV cases, could be immense. Opportunistic diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia can spread quickly, causing widespread illness and death.
Health experts warn that millions of people could die from AIDS-related illnesses in the next five years if the Trump administration does not reverse its decision or other global powers take action to fill the void. The U.N. AIDS agency has begun tracking new HIV infections, highlighting the urgent need for a solution.
The freeze on foreign aid has already caused chaos, with hundreds of health workers being laid off and clinics turning away people with HIV. Restoring the effects of the aid freeze will take time, but health experts say it is essential to act quickly to prevent the resurgence of AIDS and its devastating consequences.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-aid-freeze-usaid-hiv-pepfar-9c1e6a70c5250a56feddf48757f923c8