Jirair Ratevosian et al (22 Feb 2025) in Lancet 405(10479),603-5
The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) faces a pivotal moment, confronting one of its most challenging periods since its launch in 2003. The new policy priorities of the administration of US President Donald Trump, along with reports of 21 abortion services performed under PEPFAR-funded service providers in Mozambique, has intensified discussions about PEPFAR’s future.1 With PEPFAR’s authorisation set to expire on March 25, 2025, and a US State Department-mandated 90-day review of foreign aid underway,2 HIV and global health stakeholders have a short time to pursue urgent reforms to safeguard the future of this vital programme.
Over the past two decades, PEPFAR has been one of the most successful global health initiatives ever undertaken.3 By investing in HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, PEPFAR has saved about 26 million lives and strengthened health-care infrastructure across low-income and middle-income countries.4 However, the political landscape in the USA has become more polarised, creating challenges that threaten US global health financing and the PEPFAR programme’s future sustainability. Following the Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid Executive Order signed by Trump on Jan 20, 2025,5 the State Department issued a stop-work order for all foreign aid efforts, including PEPFAR, which took effect on Jan 24, 2025.6
Read more here (need to register)
Leave a Reply