The International AIDS Society (IAS) has issued a stark warning that the U.S. government’s decision to freeze funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) could put millions of lives at risk and derail global progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In a strongly worded statement, the IAS condemned the delay in reauthorizing PEPFAR, a landmark U.S. initiative that has saved over 25 million lives since its launch in 2003. The freeze comes as political disagreements in Washington have stalled the program’s renewal, leaving millions of people in low- and middle-income countries vulnerable.
“PEPFAR is the most successful global health program in history, and its suspension will have catastrophic consequences for people living with and affected by HIV,” said Sharon Lewin, President of the IAS. “Without renewed funding, vital HIV prevention, treatment, and care services will be severely disrupted—a setback the world cannot afford.”
A Lifeline Under Threat
PEPFAR, established under former U.S. President George W. Bush, has been instrumental in providing antiretroviral treatment, HIV testing, and prevention services to communities most affected by the epidemic. The program has played a critical role in reducing AIDS-related deaths and new infections, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
The funding freeze comes at a crucial moment, as the global HIV response faces new challenges, including rising HIV incidence in key populations, the impact of climate change on healthcare systems, and growing drug resistance to HIV treatments.
“Without PEPFAR’s support, many health systems will struggle to maintain HIV services, leading to preventable deaths and an increase in new infections,” the IAS statement warned.
Political Roadblocks and the Future of PEPFAR
The delay in PEPFAR’s reauthorization stems from political disagreements in the U.S. Congress, with some lawmakers calling for changes to the program’s funding mechanisms. However, health experts warn that using global health funding as a political bargaining tool could have devastating consequences.
“Every day that passes without PEPFAR’s reauthorization jeopardizes years of progress in HIV/AIDS response,” said Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Past President of the IAS. “The world cannot afford to go backward in the fight against HIV.”
Call to Action
The IAS is urging U.S. lawmakers to immediately restore funding to PEPFAR, emphasizing that the program is essential to achieving the UN goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“We call on the U.S. government to prioritize lives over politics and ensure that PEPFAR continues its lifesaving work,” the statement concluded.