Uganda’s HIV/AIDS response has suffered a severe setback following the closure of key Drop-in Centers (DICs), critical hubs for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. According to a recent report by UNAIDS, these closures result from a freeze on U.S. funding, which previously covered over half of Uganda’s HIV/AIDS program budget.
For years, DICs have served as safe spaces for marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQI+ individuals and other high-risk populations, to access life-saving HIV services without fear of stigma. However, with financial support withdrawn, many clinics have shut down, disrupting not only patient care but also essential laboratory tests, including viral load monitoring
Community-led organizations, which played a crucial role in HIV service delivery outside traditional healthcare facilities, are now struggling to function. Many have been forced to restructure operations, and crucial community-led monitoring initiatives have been put on hold.
“In Uganda, where U.S. funding constitutes 55% of the total AIDS budget, several service points providing antiretroviral therapy and vertical transmission prevention have closed. Patients are being redirected to other already overburdened facilities,” the UNAIDS report states.
Ms. Nakibuuka Noor, Deputy Executive Director at the Centre for Health and Human Rights Development (CEHURD), condemned the funding freeze, warning of its devastating consequences.
“There is no justification for this decision. Lives and livelihoods are being lost. The question Ugandans should be asking is: What happens when life-saving medication is taken away, and people are left without access to treatment?” Noor emphasized.
The impact of these funding cuts extends beyond healthcare. Many Ugandans employed by USAID-supported health initiatives have lost their jobs, leaving them in financial distress.
Andrea Minaj Casablanca, a 25-year-old transgender peer educator, has been particularly affected. She used to provide health education and support to LGBTQI+ individuals, but the sudden funding withdrawal left her unemployed and struggling to assist her community.
“Our whole world has been turned upside down. Every day, I receive desperate calls from people seeking HIV medication, therapy sessions, and even shelter. I try to help, but I am facing my own crisis after losing my job,” Casablanca told The New York Times.
John Grace, coordinator of the Uganda Minority Shelters Consortium, confirmed the dire situation.
“LGBTQI+ individuals across Uganda are calling us in distress. Many are struggling to find access to essential medical supplies like condoms, lubricants, and HIV test kits. Some are in tears, fearing isolation and the loss of critical support networks,” Grace said.
With the U.S. aid freeze paralyzing HIV/AIDS programs, human rights activists are urging the Ugandan government to take action. Faith leaders like Rev. Gideon Byamugisha, an HIV-positive cleric who actively fights against homophobia, are calling for stronger domestic investment in healthcare.
“We cannot afford to be mere spectators in this crisis. Our government must prioritize its citizens’ health and ensure that all Ugandans, regardless of their identity, have access to HIV treatment and prevention services,” Rev. Byamugisha asserted.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has initiated an emergency assessment of the funding freeze’s impact and is working to integrate HIV services into outpatient departments. However, experts warn that without substantial financial intervention, the crisis could deepen, setting Uganda back in its fight against HIV
Beyond Uganda, the consequences of U.S. aid cuts extend to HIV research and data collection. UNAIDS warns that the suspension of U.S.-funded surveys and monitoring programs could compromise the accuracy of data on HIV prevalence, affecting long-term planning for treatment and prevention strategies.
The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), a critical tool for measuring HIV prevalence, now face potential postponement in several UNAIDS-supported countries, raising concerns about future global health responses.
As Uganda grapples with this crisis, activists, healthcare workers, and affected communities continue to demand immediate action. The international community is also watching closely, with many urging the U.S. government to reconsider its decision to cut off aid.
For now, the fate of thousands of Ugandans living with or at risk of HIV remains uncertain, as they navigate an increasingly fragile healthcare landscape.
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