Engage Men's Health, a nonprofit organization in South Africa that provided free testing and medications for HIV, ceased operations following an order from the U.S. government to halt support for global health initiatives, including the PEPFAR program. This order has significant ramifications for at least 220,000 individuals globally, who rely daily on PEPFAR-supported clinics. The shutdown leaves many patients without vital anti-HIV medications, risking their health, particularly as those who obtained supplies in early December are at risk of running out by February. Advocates are urging collaboration to restore access to necessary treatments.
"It's really critical for us to be working together right now to restore this access to medications," said Deborah Birx, emphasizing the urgent need for continued HIV treatment access.
"Clinics have stopped distributing medications and PEPFAR central information systems were shut down," Atul Gawande stated, reflecting the immediate impact of the U.S. government's order.
Collection
[
|
...
]