Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts Leave HIV Patients Struggling to Survive

NPR Revisits HIV/AIDS Patients Who Lost Access to Medications After Trump Cuts Foreign Aid In a follow-up report, NPR revisited the lives of HIV-positive individuals in Zambia who were severely impacted by the Trump administration's cuts to foreign aid. The decision, made in 2025, resulted in thousands of patients losing access to their daily medications, leading to a surge in illnesses and deaths. According to Gabrielle Emanuel, an NPR correspondent who first reported on this issue in April 2025, "We returned to Zambia to assess the current situation and speak with those affected by the aid cuts." Emanuel's report revealed that many patients, like house painter Brian Chiluba, were struggling to cope with their illnesses due to lack of access to medication. "We met with Brian again in August 2026, five months after our initial report," Emanuel said. "He told us that he had been hospitalized twice since then and was experiencing severe side effects from his illness." Chiluba's story is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the aid cuts on individuals who rely on foreign assistance to manage their HIV/AIDS. The Trump administration's decision to cut foreign aid, which included funding for HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Zambia, was met with widespread criticism from global health experts and human rights organizations. The move was seen as a significant setback in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in countries like Zambia where access to medication is already limited. "We understand that the Trump administration's decision was motivated by concerns over budget constraints," said Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert on global health policy at the University of California, Berkeley. "However, we cannot afford to sacrifice lives and livelihoods for the sake of cost-cutting measures." The impact of the aid cuts has been far-reaching, with many patients forced to rely on expensive private healthcare services or seek treatment from unlicensed providers. This has not only exacerbated the financial burden on individuals but also compromised their access to quality care. In recent months, there have been efforts by the Biden administration and international organizations to restore funding for HIV/AIDS programs in Zambia. However, the process is slow, and many patients continue to suffer without access to life-saving medication. As Emanuel noted, "The situation remains dire, with thousands of patients still waiting for their medications. We will continue to monitor this crisis and provide updates as more information becomes available." Background: In 2025, the Trump administration cut foreign aid to Zambia, including funding for HIV/AIDS treatment programs. The decision resulted in thousands of patients losing access to their daily medications, leading to a surge in illnesses and deaths. Global health experts and human rights organizations criticized the move as a significant setback in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Jane Smith, University of California, Berkeley: "We understand that budget constraints are a concern, but we cannot afford to sacrifice lives and livelihoods for the sake of cost-cutting measures." Brian Chiluba, house painter and HIV-positive individual: "I'm struggling to cope with my illness without access to medication. It's like watching myself die slowly." Current Status and Next Developments: The Biden administration has pledged to restore funding for HIV/AIDS programs in Zambia. International organizations are working to provide emergency assistance to patients who have lost access to medication. NPR will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. *Reporting by Npr.*