Maseru, Jan. 28 — The United States (US) suspension of foreign aid assistance is likely to put more than 20 million lives of people living with HIV globally at risk.
The Donald Trump administration issued an executive order on January 20 that instructed for a halt on disbursement of foreign assistance funding for at least 90 days, with no assurance of continuing after the suspension period.
This includes the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) program which is in operation in 54 countries, mostly in Africa, Lesotho included.
However, Lesotho’s Parliamentary Chair of Chairs, Mr. Mokhothu Makhalanyane has allayed fears of possibility of cut in supply of antiretroviral treatment (ARV), explaining that since last year, Lesotho has been able to procure at least 88 percent of the ARV supply while the remaining 12 percent was paid for by the Global Fund, even though he was also quick to point out that the US funds the Global Fund.
