By Bunmi Yekini
Vital healthcare services in Ukraine have been thrown into crisis following a 90-day freeze on U.S. foreign aid, raising fears of a worsening HIV epidemic and disruptions to critical war-related medical support.
The executive order, issued by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, and followed by a stop-work order four days later, has forced numerous NGOs and charities to halt their operations. The move has particularly impacted frontline healthcare services, with experts warning of severe repercussions for Ukraine’s most vulnerable populations.
Although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted an Emergency Humanitarian Waiver on Jan. 29 to allow life-saving humanitarian assistance to resume, many organizations say the damage has already been done.
“The funding suspensions stopped our whole program, and it will cause a lot of damage,” said Dmytro Sherembei, Head of the Coordination Council at 100% Life, an NGO providing care to people with HIV, tuberculosis, and other diseases. He warned that up to 25% of specialist staff handling testing and monitoring would have to be laid off, with prevention programs grinding to a halt.
The impact on Ukraine’s fight against HIV is especially alarming. The Alliance for Public Health (APH), one of the country’s largest healthcare NGOs, has seen its HIV case-finding operations suspended due to the funding freeze, despite the waiver.
“About 35–40% of all HIV-positive cases in Ukraine are found, tested, and referred for treatment by APH and its partners,” said Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of APH. “It will be difficult to find alternative funding.” APH estimates thousands of HIV cases will go undetected during the 90-day freeze.
The suspension also threatens access to life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). With the Ukrainian government relying on U.S. support through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for ARV procurement, Klepikov warned that stocks could start running out in the coming months.
“We have 118,000 patients on ARVs in Ukraine. We have preliminary stocks for six months, but the suspension could affect the next delivery of medications planned for March,” he explained.
Beyond HIV services, the aid freeze has disrupted healthcare for Ukraine’s war veterans, many of whom depend on NGOs for physical and mental health care. Several groups have been forced to shut down parts of their operations.
Sherembei criticized the waiver’s limitations, stating that it “only applies to ARV treatment pills, not actual programs, testing, support, or funding for employees.” He warned that the funding cut risks reversing years of progress in combatting HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. “Patients are terrified, and healthcare workers are struggling to provide answers. This funding stop threatens to turn a manageable epidemic into a deadly crisis.”
Ukrainian officials are working to clarify which services will be covered under the waiver. Mykola Hanich, Head of Communications at Ukraine’s Public Health Centre, acknowledged the uncertainty but remained hopeful.
“Non-governmental organizations in Ukraine play a significant role [in health care], with some relying partially or entirely on [U.S.] support. We were initially concerned by reports regarding the suspension of aid. However, we have noted media statements from Senator Marco Rubio regarding the continuation of funding for essential medicines and healthcare services. This gives us optimism for the future,” Hanich said.
With thousands of lives potentially at risk, NGOs and health officials continue to urge the U.S. government to provide clearer assurances and restore critical funding before the crisis deepens.