AIDS alliance concerned over African leader’s silence on USAID freeze

The AIDS and Rights Alliance for East and Southern Africa (Arasa) has expressed concern over the silence of African leaders on the United States (US) cutting funds for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programmes.

This comes after the US government in February imposed a freeze on all foreign aid, including funding for HIV and TB prevention and treatment programmes, resulting in thousands losing their jobs.

Arasa, in a press statement issued on social media, says the crisis in southern African countries requires bold action, leadership and a commitment to long-term sustainability.

“We are deeply disappointed with the continued silence and inaction of African leaders on the resultant crisis in HIV and TB programming in our countries,” Arasa says.

Arasa has organisations from Eswatini, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The aliance says the termination of life-saving HIV and TB treatment and care services has put millions of lives at risk.

The halted prevention programmes have also impacted people living with HIV, the LGBTQI+ community, sex workers, people who use and inject drugs, and vulnerable women and girls.

“[There are] increased inequalities, as projects focusing on gender, equity, and inclusion have been terminated under the guise of US policy incompatibility,” it says.

Arasa also adds that thousands of healthcare workers, community volunteers, and civil society and community led organisations have been affected

The organisation further says the freeze jeopardises progress made toward the achievement of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 95-95-95 goals.

UNAID set target goals to have 95% of people know their HIV status and 95% of those diagnosed with HIV to receive antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression by 2030.

The organisation calls on national governments to increase domestic funding for health by allocating at least 5% of the gross domestic product and a minimum of 15% of national budgets to health, as outlined in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

The Abuja Declaration was adopted in 2001 by African Union governments to increase health spending to at least 15% of their annual budgets.

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