Kenya faces health crisis as US halts vital aid to fight HIV, malaria
The move has raised alarm in countries like Kenya, which heavily rely on the global fund for HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and support.
United States President Donald Trump’s administration has moved to stop the supply of essential lifesaving medications for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as vital medical supplies for newborns, to countries supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The action is part of a broader freeze on US foreign aid and funding that was initiated following President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, pending reviews of efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy.
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Trump had ordered a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance the same day he took office, awaiting assessments of the effectiveness of these programs.
The move has raised alarm in countries like Kenya, which heavily rely on the global fund for HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and support.
The decision, which is likely to affect millions of people worldwide, including those in Kenya, comes as part of broader changes in US foreign aid policy.
The measures are expected to strain healthcare systems in recipient countries, potentially worsening public health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
On Tuesday, USAID contractors and partners began receiving memos instructing them to halt work immediately, according to Reuters sources familiar with the matter.
Kenya is a significant recipient of US foreign assistance. For nearly 60 years, USAID has partnered with the Kenyan government and the private sector to support critical areas such as education, healthcare, long-term economic growth, and democratic governance.
In response to the US withdrawal from the World Health Organisation’s global health fund, Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha revealed that the Kenyan government is actively exploring alternative funding sources to support people living with HIV and AIDS.
Gathecha expressed concern that the US decision to withdraw could significantly disrupt Kenya’s ongoing efforts to combat HIV and AIDS.
“We hope America won’t pull out of the WHO programme because they are the biggest financiers,” Gathecha said.
“But should they pull out, as a country, we have to get alternatives on funding.”
The announcement follows a recent executive order signed by President Trump, reaffirming the US’s intent to withdraw from the WHO’s global health initiative.
US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders at the White House on Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025. He signed an Executive Order suspending foreign aid for 90 days. (Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
The order marks the second time Trump has sought to withdraw from the WHO, following his 2020 threat when he accused the organisation of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and being overly influenced by China.
WHO has however expressed regret over the United States’ decision and has signaled its openness to constructive dialogue to resolve differences.
The US has been a key player in WHO’s initiatives since its founding in 1948, and in recent years, the organisation has implemented significant reforms to improve accountability and efficiency.
USAID allocates around $250 million annually to support Kenya’s health sector, focusing on strengthening the country’s healthcare systems. The organisation works with the Kenyan government, civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, prevent maternal and child deaths, address malaria and tuberculosis, and strengthen the healthcare system.
Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID has partnered with the Kenyan government to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has been the largest U.S. government investment in global HIV efforts since 2003.
PEPFAR helps Kenyans living with HIV access treatment and promotes efforts to eliminate the spread of the disease.
USAID also provides malaria treatment, including insecticide-treated bed nets and malaria prophylaxis for pregnant women, alongside supporting indoor residual spraying to reduce malaria transmission.
In June 2024, the Ministry of Health announced a $407.9 million grant from the Global Fund to combat HIV, TB, and malaria.
It acknowledged that past grants have led to notable successes, including a drop in malaria prevalence from 8 per cent in 2015 to 6 per cent in 2023, thanks to mass mosquito net distribution and improved treatment protocols.
MoH noted that the TB programme has also achieved an 85 per cent treatment success rate for over 264,000 patients, incorporating innovations such as AI-enhanced screening and community-based care.
In fiscal year 2023, the US disbursed $72 billion in assistance, comprising 42 per cent of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
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