U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent policy adjustment, which has temporarily stopped healthcare assistance to developing nations, including Nigeria, has prompted a strong response from the Nigerian government. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, assured citizens that the country remains resolute in overcoming the impact of this decision through strategic local interventions. Speaking at the inauguration of the Bayelsa State Haemodialysis Centre and General Outpatient Centre at the 350-bed hospital at Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, Pate emphasised that the government are prepared to navigate the challenges posed by the funding suspension.
The event was part of Governor Douye Diri’s fifth-anniversary celebrations, marking significant strides in the state’s healthcare development. Pate noted that federal and state governments would collaborate to ensure access to vital medical services, especially for those affected by chronic illnesses like HIV and kidney disease. He stressed that reliance on external support must be replaced by a robust domestic health system capable of meeting the population’s needs. The minister praised Governor Diri’s commitment to healthcare, particularly in tackling non-communicable diseases.
Government to strengthen local medical care infrastructure.
He noted that the haemodialysis centre is a crucial addition to the local medical system and will address conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure, which are prevalent in the country. He also reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to revitalising primary healthcare services. Over 2,000 centres nationwide are upgrading to improve access to essential medical treatment. President Bola Tinubu’s health sector transformation compact with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, he added, is geared towards enhancing the sector Investment and ensuring effective service delivery.
On the state level, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, also reassured residents that HIV/AIDS treatment and care would continue despite the U.S. government’s 90-day suspension of Public Health programme funding, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Coker detailed proactive measures the Ogun State Government implemented to sustain uninterrupted HIV treatment services. She confirmed that HIV test kits remain readily available in hospitals and primary healthcare centres, ensuring free testing for citizens. Additionally, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) remains accessible at the state’s 43 ART sites, ensuring that patients continue receiving life-saving medication.
Global concerns over U.S. funding suspension.
In January 2025, Trump’s executive order pausing foreign aid, including critical HIV treatment funding, sent shockwaves through Nigeria and other developing nations. The decision triggered fears among millions who rely on PEPFAR for access to antiretroviral therapy. Health experts warned that the funding suspension could lead to widespread medical shortages, increased mortality rates, and the resurgence of drug-resistant strains of diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. The move also threatened decades of global progress in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned that prolonged funding Disruption could cause a spike in new infections and deaths, potentially reversing gains made since the early 2000s when PEPFAR was launched. Recently, amid mounting international pressure, the U.S. Secretary of State issued an emergency waiver to allow the continuation of life-saving HIV treatments in 55 affected countries, including Nigeria. The waiver ensures that core medical services under PEPFAR, such as HIV treatment and prevention, remain funded despite the broader pause on foreign aid.
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UNAIDS welcomed the development, stating it restores hope for millions dependent on these critical health services. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, emphasised that the waiver acknowledges the indispensable role PEPFAR plays in the global fight against AIDS. However, the WHO remains concerned about the broader implications of the funding pause, and the agency stressed that even a temporary disruption in public health financing could destabilise essential medical programmes and jeopardise lives. Lastly, WHO reaffirmed its commitment to working with global partners, including PEPFAR, to support national governments in managing the transition towards greater self-reliance in healthcare funding.