Abuja has responded to US President Donald Trump’s 90-day freeze on most foreign aid by forming a committee to create a transition and sustainability plan for health programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The committee, comprising officials from the ministries of finance, health, and environment, seeks to secure alternative financial support for critical health initiatives, ensuring that patients receiving treatment for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria do not suffer setbacks amid shifting US policies. Although Trump later approved a temporary waiver for essential humanitarian purposes, concerns persist about the long-term future of US funding for the health programs. In anticipation of potential funding gaps, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has already approved $1 billion for healthcare reforms and allocated additional funds for HIV treatment packs. Nevertheless, public health experts advocate new partnerships and a multi-sectoral approach to ensure Nigeria’s health programs continue to operate without hiccups.
Source: VOA