Reinstate USAID before it's too late

The dismantling of USAID poses a grave threat to global health initiatives and jeopardizes progress made in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Instead of reactive measures, we must prioritize proactive strategies to curb the spread of the disease before it escalates into a pandemic. The funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration has already created a severe crisis for HIV services in South Africa, impacting treatment access and support for vulnerable communities. With over 7.5 million individuals living with HIV in South Africa, and 5.5 million relying on treatment funded significantly by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the consequences of this action are dire. Patients like 19-year-old Nozuko Majola now struggle to afford transportation for their life-saving HIV medication. The potential for increased infection rates and preventable deaths is unacceptable. We must urge the administration to reinstate USAID funding and prioritize global health initiatives to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS and prevent it from escalating into a pandemic.