Trump Halts Supply of HIV Drugs to Nigeria, Others  

President Donald Trump’s administration has halted the supply of life-saving drugs for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis to poor countries, including Nigeria.

According to Reuters report, the memo stated that this decision affects not only the treatment of these diseases but also the supply of medical necessities for newborn babies in countries supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The memo, sent to contractors and partners working with USAID, including Chemonics, a large U.S. consulting firm, orders them to stop work immediately.

This move is part of a broader freeze on U.S. aid and funding implemented since Trump took office on January 20, pending reviews of program efficiencies and consistency with U.S. foreign policy.

Atul Gawande, former head of global health at USAID, expressed his outrage, saying, “This is catastrophic. Donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today.” Gawande warned that interruptions in treatment would put patients at risk of getting sick and, in the case of HIV, transmitting the virus to others. He also noted that drug-resistant strains may emerge due to the treatment disruptions.

The freeze affects organizations working with 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV in 23 countries. Trump’s 90-day pause in foreign development assistance, which began on January 20, has already put billions of dollars of life-saving aid at risk. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion in assistance, providing 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.

The Trump administration has also placed about 60 senior career officials at the USAID on leave, further complicating the situation. As the world’s largest single donor, the U.S. plays a critical role in providing life-saving aid.

Nigeria, one of the countries heavily reliant on U.S. aid, is particularly vulnerable to the freeze. With over two million people living with HIV, Nigeria relies heavily on programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for access to life-saving medications and healthcare infrastructure support.

PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to Nigeria’s national HIV/AIDS response, and the suspension or permanent halt to the program would severely undermine efforts to control HIV in the country.