The Ministry of Health has assured the public that HIV/AIDS services will continue uninterrupted across all public and private health facilities in the country despite the recent U.S. freeze on foreign health funding.
This assurance comes in the wake of concerns surrounding the U.S. Government’s decision to freeze nearly all foreign health funding, including support to it’s President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program.
In a statement released on January 29, 2025, the Secretary for Health Dr. Samson Mndolo has emphasized that the country has adequate stocks of antiretrovirals (ARVs), test kits, and other essential supplies necessary to maintain HIV/AIDS services.
“The Ministry wishes to inform the public that the country has adequate quantities of ARVs, test kits and other supplies. Further, the Ministry has put measures in place to secure more supplies and will be making updates accordingly,” said Mndolo.
However, the Ministry has committed to ensuring that essential services remain available.
“The ministry is advising the public not to panic as it will continue working around the clock, to prevent any stockouts of the necessary commodities. All the health facility management teams have been prepared, advised and are ready to ensure there is no disruption of services in the country,” added Mndolo.
While the Ministry’s assurance offers immediate relief, the long-term implications of the funding freeze remain a significant concern for health experts.
In an interview with Nthanda Times, Health Expert Dorothy Ngoma expressed concern over the potential effects of the freeze, noting that the U.S. has been a significant contributor to global health initiatives, including funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
“If you remove the biggest piece of firewood, you reduce the amount of heat. The same applies here. We are reliant on international funding, and its absence will certainly lessen the support we have for HIV programs,” Ngoma said.
However, she remains hopeful, emphasizing that while there might be challenges, Malawi’s government and international partners will find ways to bridge the funding gap.
“I don’t think we should be desperate. The government will do what it can to make sure that Malawians don’t suffer or die because we don’t have enough HIV drugs or vaccines,” she assured.
Maziko Matemba, another health expert, echoed Ngoma’s sentiments, acknowledging the concern surrounding the funding freeze while also pointing to existing buffers of essential HIV/AIDS commodities.
However, he called for ongoing efforts to ensure sustainability in the long term, highlighting the shock caused by the funding freeze and the need for negotiations with other international partners.
“The freeze on U.S. funding has certainly come as a shock to many of us in the sector. While we have short-term buffers to keep the programs going, we must focus on ensuring long-term sustainability. It’s essential for the government to engage in negotiations with other international partners and explore alternative sources of funding to safeguard the continuity of HIV/AIDS services in the future,” enthused Matemba
According to National AIDS Commission (NAC) statistics, over a million people are living with HIV in Malawi.
On 20th January 2025, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day freeze on most U.S. foreign assistance, which includes PEPFAR’s $6.5 billion annual funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
