–Because of reduced funding from USAID
A minimum of 625 front-line healthcare professionals employed by the Ministry of Health for treatment and prevention initiatives have been laid off as a result of the cessation of USAID financial support.
The financial reductions, stemming from executive directives enacted by President Donald Trump upon assuming office earlier this year, will likely cause considerable harm to Lesotho’s healthcare infrastructure.
According to Dr Tapiwa Turambiswa, the HIV/AIDS program manager at the Ministry of Health, who addressed the Parliamentary Pandemic Committee earlier this week, this statement was made.
Dr. Turambiswa cautioned that ending the USAID funding, totaling more than M852 million allocated specifically for prevention initiatives across 10 regions via the SECURE Activity program, might result in a rise in new HIV infections.
According to Dr. Turambiswa, the USAID funding reductions have affected various essential programs including community-based preventive measures, condom distribution, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), voluntary medical circumcision for men, and other vital services.
T
he situation arising from the funding cuts was very dire, with hundreds of health workers now jobless.
Dr. Turambiswa stated that Lesotho’s HIV and TB initiatives were largely reliant on financial support from donors, with 86 percent of their funds originating from international sources, rendering these programs financially unstable.
“We urgently require boosting our local financial support for these initiatives,” stated Dr Turambiswa.
Furthermore, President Trump’s executive orders negatively affected the enhancement of healthcare systems, which included various aspects such as treatment, care, and preventive measures for conditions like HIV and tuberculosis.
Dr. Turambiswa mentioned that from the beginning of this year until now, they have not received any financial support for HIV prevention programs, as the earlier grant was solely intended for essential treatments.
Moreover, 93 percent of USAID funds were put on hold, resulting in a loss of M168 million from the agency’s “Bophelo bo Botle” (Healthy Life) treatment initiative.
He stated that the funding cut-off resulted in the layoffs of 625 healthcare professionals, encompassing roles such as nurses, pharmacists, physicians, counselors, psychologists, data clerks, and record keepers.
Dr. Turambiswa stressed that the reduction in HIV prevention funds might lead to an increase in new HIV infections.
Although the Global Fund, which operates as a multinational financing entity, continues to offer assistance, he mentioned that they have requested a temporary halt to significant operations “while they reassess their funding approach.”
Dr Turambiswa stated that this situation arose because the US is the main funder of the Global Fund.
Lesotho’s issues extend beyond the reduction of USAID funding.
During an interview with AFP in March, His Majesty KingLetsie III cautioned that Lesotho might face considerable economic repercussions if President Trump proceeded with suggested aid reductions and ended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade pact.
The elimination of AGOA could result in as many as 40,000 job losses in Lesotho.
“Should AGOA be repealed, it would immediately affect the economy as it could result in job losses for between 30,000 to 40,000 individuals,” stated the King at that moment.
Implemented in 2000, AGOA has served as a significant economic boost for Lesotho and approximately 30 additional countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nonetheless, the trade deal was annulled when President Trump declared a trade emergency, which led to Lesotho facing 50 percent reciprocal tariffs as a consequence.
In March, Mr. Trump caused a diplomatic controversy when he supported the aid reductions, stating about Lesotho, “It’s a nation that nobody knows exists.”
Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s administration is urgently trying to arrange a meeting with the U.S. government to discuss the reduction of the high tariffs.
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