Espreso. Global

Ukraine’s HIV response at risk amid U.S. aid freeze

4 February, 2025 Tuesday
16:55

Ukraine’s fight against HIV faces uncertainty after the U.S. froze foreign aid for 90 days under an executive order. While a recent waiver allows lifesaving HIV treatments to continue, other crucial services remain in limbo

client/title.list_title

Medscape writes about it.

“We’re all trying to understand the scope of this waiver,” said Jirair Ratevosian, a former senior advisor to PEPFAR. He warned that “the foreign aid freeze would still apply to over 50% of the program,” affecting HIV testing, prevention, and care for vulnerable populations.

Ukraine has an estimated 245,000 people living with HIV — the second-highest rate in Europe. The war has worsened the crisis, with new infections rising 20% in Eastern Europe and Central Asia between 2010 and 2023, according to UNAIDS.

Oksana Kyrychok, director of Ukraine’s largest HIV patient group, 100% Life, confirmed that non-treatment programs, including testing and support services, have been suspended. “This will lead to a decrease in patient awareness of HIV treatment and prevention,” she said. The group may have to lay off 25% of its staff.

Andrew Hill, a researcher at the University of Liverpool, criticized the freeze: “There’s a big HIV epidemic in Ukraine, and they are dependent on support.”

Meanwhile, Andriy Klepikov, head of the Alliance for Public Health, said a U.S.-funded mobile health program near the war’s front lines has been halted, leaving communities without access to care.

With few details on the aid freeze, concerns grow over its long-term impact. “People at PEPFAR have a gag order,” Hill said. “The number of people who could die as a result of this is staggering.”

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Saturday
15 February
19:45
U.S. to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks, no direct role for Europe — Kellogg
19:23
Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine to boost leverage as Munich Conference unfolds
19:00
Exclusive
U.S. lacks capacity to counter Russia, China — diplomat
18:37
Exclusive
Fixing frontline doesn’t mean renouncing Ukraine’s 1991 borders — diplomat Fried
18:19
Trump envoy Kellogg pledges 180 days to end war in Ukraine
18:00
Russia must withdraw to Ukraine’s pre-full-scale invasion borders — Zelenskyy
17:41
Trump team proposes deploying U.S. troops to protect Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits
17:17
OPINION
Trump doesn’t like Zelenskyy: how presidential sympathies may shape Ukraine's future
16:50
Exclusive
U.S. pledges air support for Europe if Russia launches new offensive — diplomat Fried
16:29
Putin reportedly planning 'end of Ukraine war' concert in Moscow this summer
16:08
Exclusive
Ukrainian territory concessions may trigger Russian aggression in Baltic states — diplomat
15:45
Group of European countries quietly drafting plan to deploy troops to Ukraine
15:24
OPINION
Trump's election proposal for Ukraine may play right into Putin's hands
15:02
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 29 – February 5
Russian forces intensify attempts to cross Oskil River using boats, makeshift rafts — Achilles Regiment
14:41
Human rights organizations react to Zelenskyy’s sanctions on Poroshenko, Zhevago, Kolomoisky, Bogolyubov
14:23
Ukraine wouldn’t have lost 4,000 km² of territory if U.S. hadn’t delayed aid — Zelenskyy
14:00
'Without Ukraine’s army, Europe alone can’t stop Russia': Zelenskyy calls for creation of European Armed Forces
13:52
Exclusive
Ukrainian woman takes her life to avoid collaborating with Russian forces in occupied Kherson
13:29
Review
Ukrainians learn to defend against guided bombs: how Soviet-era ZU-23-2 guns help counter Russian threat
13:07
Review
Ukraine must expand its army to 1.5 million troops without U.S., EU security guarantees. Serhiy Zgurets' column
12:45
Exclusive
Trump administration caves to all of Putin’s demands on Ukraine — political analyst
12:27
OPINION
Zelenskyy fears both Trump and his own people
12:10
Hungary blocks launch of Ukraine’s EU membership talks
11:53
Ukraine reports 112 clashes at front on Feb. 14, repels 36 Russian assaults in Pokrovsk sector
11:31
Russia reports drone attack on 4 regions: fire breaks out at industrial site in Kaluga
11:14
Ukrainian Air Force strikes Russian platoon strongpoint in Kursk region
10:56
Exclusive
White House sees Europe, not Russia, as key rival: international journalist on Munich Conference
10:35
Russia loses 1,180 soldiers, 59 artillery systems, air defense system in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Friday
14 February
22:53
Russians angered by lack of official updates on Bryansk explosions – Ukraine's intel
22:38
We seek lasting peace: U.S. VP Vance after meeting Zelenskyy as Ukrainian president ready for “real peace”
22:13
Writers from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and Kazakhstan withdraw from Indian festival in protest of Russian participants
22:00
Exclusive
Chornobyl NPP attack: Consequences of Russia's strike have been contained
21:52
Chornobyl NPP safety at risk: History of protective arch and its ability to withstand impacts
21:33
Ukraine to be immediately accepted into NATO if Russia attacks again, says Senator Graham
21:15
Moldova hopes for Russian troop withdrawal from Transnistria as part of Ukraine peace talks
20:55
Exclusive
Europe realizes it must shoulder lion's share of responsibility — Ukraine's former PM
20:30
U.S. has never seen Ukraine in NATO, Zelenskyy says
20:14
Ukraine reveals details of experimental contract with Armed Forces for citizens under 25
19:51
“We’re more confident than before”: Zelenskyy reports improvement on critical Pokrovsk front
19:32
Russia's military transport aviation in crisis: Challenges and failures
More news