The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday that millions of lives will be at risk with the new US government's decision to halt drug distribution programs for people with HIV in developing countries.

"A sudden and prolonged interruption of these programs will not allow a controlled transition and will put millions of lives at risk," the WHO said in a statement released on Tuesday (28).

According to the WHO, these programs provide access to life-saving HIV therapy for more than 30 million people around the world. Globally, 39.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2023.

"Stopping HIV programs could put HIV-positive people at direct risk of illness and death and would undermine efforts to prevent HIV transmission in countries and communities," he added.

For the global community, this could lead to significant setbacks in the progress of partnerships and investments in scientific advances that have been the cornerstone of good public health programming, including innovative diagnostics, affordable drugs and community-based models of HIV care.

"We call on the United States Government to authorize additional exemptions to ensure the provision of life-saving HIV treatment and care," the WHO stressed.

Last Friday, the US State Department froze new funding for almost all US aid programs around the world.

(Photo DR)