WHO Warns Nigeria, Seven Other Countries May Soon Face HIV Drug Shortages

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed Nigeria among eight countries at risk of running out of HIV treatments in the coming months.

The warning follows the Trump administration’s decision to pause U.S. foreign aid, which WHO says has “substantially disrupted” the supply of HIV medications. Other affected nations include Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus.

“The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress,” Ghebreyesus said at a press conference, warning that this could result in over 10 million additional HIV cases and three million HIV-related deaths.

The suspension of U.S. aid has also impacted efforts to combat polio, malaria, and tuberculosis, while WHO’s Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network—which operates over 700 sites worldwide—faces imminent shutdown. This comes as measles cases surge in the United States.

Ghebreyesus emphasized that the U.S. has a “responsibility” to ensure an orderly transition for affected countries seeking alternative funding sources.

Additionally, funding shortages could force 80% of WHO-supported essential health care services in Afghanistan to shut down. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had already closed, with over 220 more at risk by June.

The U.S. government’s plan to withdraw from WHO has also led the agency to freeze hiring and reduce its budget. On Monday, WHO announced a cut in its emergency operations funding target from $1.2 billion to $872 million for the 2026-2027 period.