US halts life-saving drug aid, fears of disaster

The new US administration has ordered the supply of life-saving drugs for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and newborns to poor countries. The decision, led by President Donald Trump, has halted a large part of global humanitarian aid.

According to Reuters, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has ordered its affiliates to stop operations from Tuesday (January 28). Trump announced the suspension of this aid in an executive order the day after he took office. Under this order, no life-saving drug aid will be provided for at least 90 days.

Concerns are growing over the suspension of drug supplies
The US-funded company Chemonics has already been forced to stop supplying HIV and malaria drugs. Atul Gawande, former head of USAID's global health, called the decision a "disaster". He said,

"The drugs donated by the US were saving the lives of 20 million people worldwide. Now that program has stopped.”

Atul also said that this decision could increase HIV transmission, and the lives of the sick could be at further risk. Despite the drugs in stock, they can no longer be sent to the countries receiving aid.

Aid stopped in the name of monitoring
The Trump administration has said that it will monitor the countries receiving US aid. However, this aid will be suspended until the monitoring is completed. Experts say that this decision will exacerbate the global health crisis and there is a risk of increased mortality in developing countries.

Discussions have already begun with the world community about this decision.###