The US Agency for International Development is closed by millions of African lives

Last year alone 3.7 billion dollars contributed to humanitarian aid To sub -Saharan Africa. At least 73 percent of this is dedicated to health programs, including HIV treatment and prevention. For those with HIV, a lot of benefit from this financing came through the President’s Emergency Emergency Plan – or Pepfar, which buys and supports HIV medications for needy countries. Since its launch by former US President George W. Bush more than two decades ago, Pippar has saved millions of lives in Africa.

Before pepfar, HIV often means the death penalty in Africa. Today, many who live with the virus can live a normal life thanks to the drugs that have been extracted through it. The relief programs also allowed sub -Saharan countries to make vital progress in containing HIV through infection recording rates, improving the test, and reducing the mother’s transmission to a child.

In fact, many African countries, including Nigeria, exist Doorstep From controlling HIV and approaching global goals “95-95-95”-95 percent of people with HIV are diagnosed, and 95 percent of those who have been diagnosed with anti-virus treatment, And 95 percent of those who receive anti -escape treatment, a place where the patient does not suffer from HIV and is free from the risk of transmitting the virus.

Now, with a Pepfar lifestyle about to go, public health workers are concerned that these gains can be reversed. “We will have a breakdown close to the health care system if all financing is stopped after freezing for a period of 90 days, because the Nigeria government alone will not be able to provide the necessary services,” says Eseah.

Issa and his colleagues published a Ticket In 2021, about the willingness of people who live with HIV in Nigeria to pay the price of the pocket treatment. This research found that although many realize the importance of life to maintain their treatment, and therefore it is ready to pay, the cost of the drug constitutes a great obstacle in front of them.

Its value is one month of the general version of Truvada, a drug used to treat HIV as well as protection from infection before and after exposure, Costs About $ 60 a month. Moreover, the costs of regular laboratory tests to verify viral load, the health of the immune system, liver conditions and renal heart that can occur due to infection. For low -income countries in Africa, this is a major challenge: at least 41 percent of the population of sub -Saharan Africa. Long live From $ 1.90 a day; The minimum national wage in Nigeria is $ 40 per month.

Show preparation to connect the financing gap, the Nigeria government voice Earlier this week, for 4.8 billion Nira ($ 3.2 million), it will be released to buy 150,000 HIV. But although there is a good mark in the short term, it is not anywhere near what is required to maintain the HIV and prevent it in the country in the event of a long -term withdrawal from Washington.

In the event that US financing is continued after a 90 -day stop, it is possible that many people who live with HIV in Africa are unable to constantly pay from the pocket of medicines and laboratory tests they need. “As soon as a person is completely on medications, the person has achieved an uncovered viral load, this means that the person cannot transport the virus,” says Eseh. “But if they lose their treatment and medicines, the viral load can increase again, which endanger their families and loved ones.”