"We have an update now on the effect of a cutoff in foreign aid to Zambia. Five months ago, we met people whose lives were turned upside down when the Trump administration cut assistance, meaning that those with HIV could no longer get their daily medications. Many, like house painter Brian Chiluba, were getting sick as a result. Here he is in April talking with NPR's Gabrielle Emanuel."
"When we did our reporting in April, Zambian officials read our stories published on npr.org. And they reached out to a local pastor featured in our stories. His name is Billiance Chondwe, or Pastor Billy. And he says officials who called him didn't believe what they read in our stories, that people in the pastor's congregation and community were not able to get their HIV medications any longer."
U.S. foreign aid cuts under the Trump administration forced closure of some U.S.-funded HIV clinics in Zambia, leaving many patients without daily antiretroviral medications. Patients such as house painter Brian Chiluba experienced severe weakness and risk of death. Zambian officials became aware of local medication shortages and contacted pastor Billiance Chondwe to verify conditions in Kitwe. Zambian government clinics stepped in to provide antiretroviral drugs to many affected patients, restoring steady supplies for individuals like Brian. The U.S.-funded clinic remains closed while public clinics now handle medication distribution responsibilities.
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