PEPFAR Under Threat: Millions Face Uncertainty
The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid, alleging wastefulness, has thrown the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) into disarray. This program, hailed as the most successful foreign aid initiative in history, has kept millions of people with HIV alive for over 20 years. Now, confusion over a temporary waiver has left many unable to access life-saving medications, potentially leading to a resurgence of AIDS-related deaths.
Immune System Collapse: The Consequences of Stopping Treatment
HIV, transmitted through bodily fluids, gradually weakens the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Antiretroviral drugs prevent the virus from multiplying, but stopping these medications allows HIV to rebound quickly, potentially becoming drug-resistant and increasing the risk of transmission. Without treatment, people with HIV progress to AIDS, the final stage of infection.
Daily Dangers: The Threat of Opportunistic Infections
Without HIV treatment, the CDC estimates that people with AIDS typically survive about three years. During this time, they may experience no noticeable symptoms, but their immune system becomes increasingly vulnerable to opportunistic infections like fungal infections, pneumonia, salmonella, and tuberculosis. For countries like South Africa, with high rates of both HIV and tuberculosis, the impact could be devastating.
Every Day Counts: Disruptions in Care and Support
The importance of daily adherence to HIV medication has been emphasized for years. Now, the ability to follow this essential rule has been compromised. US-funded health partners in countries like Kenya and Ethiopia have already laid off staff, resulting in gaps in HIV testing, messaging, care, and support. Some African clinics have even turned away people with HIV.
A Race Against Time: Restoring Care and Preventing Crisis
Health experts warn that restoring the effects of the Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze will take time that many people do not have. The UN AIDS agency predicts that 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths could occur in the next five years if the situation is not resolved. As the clock ticks, the global community faces a crucial test: whether it can restore support for PEPFAR and avert a potentially catastrophic resurgence of the AIDS epidemic.
SOURCE: Ref Image from ET Health World
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