The government of Ethiopia needs to urgently respond to the critical needs of thousands of vulnerable Ethiopians, including women, children, and the elderly, following the United States’ halt of crucial foreign aid through USAID. 

Development Diaries reports that the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) warns that the pause on foreign aid by USAID means tens of thousands of individuals will no longer be able to access critical services.

We understand that these services include HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, and screenings for tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, and support to address gender-based violence.

‘Ethiopia is on track to reach the global 95-95-95 targets: with 90 percent of people in Ethiopia living with HIV being aware of their HIV status; 94 percent of those diagnosed with HIV receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy; and 96 percent of people on ARV therapy achieving viral suppression’, UNAIDS said in a statement.

‘ARV treatment is currently provided to 503,000 people via 1,400 health facilities across the country.

‘However, with ongoing challenges to the country’s health system and socio-economic development, Ethiopia remains reliant on external donors for its HIV response’.

While it is devastating that the foreign aid that has covered critical HIV/AIDS services in recent years is on hold, the government must step up its efforts to provide critical healthcare services to in immediate need.

In Ethiopia, in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, approximately 4.6 percent of the federal budget is allocated to health, indicating that while there is a positive trend in increasing health sector funding from the previous fiscal year, Ethiopia has not yet met the Abuja Declaration target, which requires the nation to allocate at least 15 percent of its annual budget to the health sector.

With foreign aid now paused, the government must increase allocation for the health sector to mitigate the impact the gap left behind will cause.

Also, beyond increasing budget allocation, the current allocation must be implemented properly with all resources accounted for to avoid waste.

Development Diaries calls on President Taye Atske Selassie to increase the country’s health budget allocation to cater to the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups.

We also urge the health ministry to ensure the current allocation made available is properly utilised and accounted for in implementing healthcare interventions that reach the most vulnerable groups across the country.

Photo source: USAID