US President Donald Trump’s decision to slash health aid in East Africa has pushed millions into a severe health emergency. The withdrawal of funds has left many mothers without access to vital medicines, leading to a surge in HIV infections among newborns. Some women, unable to cope with the crisis, were even forced into abortions.

The revelations come from a new Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) report, based on interviews with doctors, nurses, patients, and health experts from Tanzania and Uganda. The report highlights how the closure of America’s flagship program, PEPFAR, has endangered lives and undone years of progress.

What is PEPFAR?

Launched in 2003, PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) is the largest US global health program, credited with saving millions of lives across Africa. However, the Trump administration has cut half of the $6 billion allocated for 2025, crippling healthcare systems that heavily relied on this funding. Experts warn that unless funding is restored, two decades of achievements in HIV prevention could collapse.

What the Report Reveals

• Shortages of medicines have led to serious infections among patients.

• Mothers could not access drugs to prevent transmission, resulting in HIV-positive newborns.

• Many clinics have shut down, forcing patients to skip doses and increasing the risk of drug resistance.

• One clinic reported that in April, 1 in every 4 HIV-positive pregnant women gave birth to an HIV-positive child.

Who Is Suffering the Most?

While limited relief reached pregnant and breastfeeding women, already marginalized groups—such as LGBTQ+ people, sex workers, and drug users—were left without support. Many faced discrimination and humiliation in public hospitals, worsening their plight.

Growing Distrust and Fear

The crisis has also shaken people’s confidence in governments, foreign aid, and HIV medicines. Many fear treatment will now become unaffordable, fueling the rise of fake cures and quack treatments.

In one tragic case, a woman terminated her pregnancy after hearing rumors that if her child was born HIV-positive, it would be her “fault.” This reflects how misinformation and fear are compounding the damage caused by the aid cuts.

The Way Forward

Health experts and rights groups are urging Washington to restore PEPFAR funding immediately, stressing that without intervention, East Africa may face an uncontrollable HIV epidemic, reversing hard-won progress of the past 20 years.