A new report warns that President Trump's freeze on foreign aid could lead to over 100,000 babies being born with HIV in the next three months. The report, from the Andelson Office of Public Policy, highlights the potential impact on the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and the crucial role it plays in providing HIV treatment to pregnant women in developing countries.
A research report by the Andelson Office of Public Policy, a Washington-based arm of The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), predicts that over 100,000 babies could be born with HIV within the next three months due to President Donald Trump's freeze on foreign aid . The report estimates that 135,987 babies will be born with HIV during a 90-day stoppage of funding.
This freeze, part of a broader reassessment of America's financial commitments abroad, was implemented as one of Trump's executive orders. The 'Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid' order expresses concerns that the U.S. foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and, in some cases, contradict American values. The halt is intended to last 90 days while foreign assistance is reviewed for alignment with these values. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the pause, stating that 'The U.S. government is not a charity.' However, he later issued a waiver allowing exemptions for 'lifesaving' assistance, including medicine, medical services, food, and shelter. While Rubio assured that 'We don't want to see people die,' it remains unclear if these 'lifesaving' exemptions apply to foreign HIV programs. The stoppage has already forced organizations worldwide to halt HIV treatment purchased with U.S. funds from the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), which supports over 190,000 care providers in 52 countries, primarily in Africa. PEPFAR plays a crucial role in providing ARV treatment (antiretroviral drugs) to 679,936 pregnant women. With the 90-day stoppage, it is estimated that 50% of these women will deliver during this period. Considering the expected HIV transmission rate of 40% when a woman is not on treatment, a staggering 135,987 babies are projected to be born with HIV, equating to 1,471 new infant HIV infections daily.The most affected countries are South Africa, Mozambique, and Uganda. Adding to the crisis, amfAR researchers warn that these babies are highly likely to remain undiagnosed because infant HIV testing services are also being suspended due to the funding freeze. The implications of this policy extend beyond immediate health concerns. Emilie J. Greenhalgh, a senior international development consultant, argues that this pause could create a vacuum filled by Russia, China, or even terrorist organizations eager to exploit the situation. The future of PEPFAR funding and its alignment with America's redefined priorities for aid remains uncertain.
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