Uganda's Ministry of Health Scrambles for Solutions Following USAID Funding Suspension

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is set to conduct an urgent review of critical health programs this week, following the abrupt suspension of funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

The ministry aims to identify priority areas that will require immediate government intervention to mitigate the potential disruption to essential healthcare services.

USAID has been a key contributor to Uganda’s health sector, investing more than $350 million annually in programs focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other critical areas. However, the recent Executive Order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump has halted all foreign aid programs for a 90-day period as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. international assistance. 

This decision has put many vital health services in Uganda at risk.A notice from USAID’s Supervisory Agreement Officer in Uganda, Nya Kwai Boayue, confirmed that all program implementations were to be suspended effective Friday last week. 

The notice directed that, “all program implementation is suspended, and your organization must refrain from incurring additional obligations chargeable to the agreement during this suspension.” It further specified that only “legitimate expenses incurred before January 24, 2025, under existing awards or legitimate expenses associated with stop-work orders, suspensions, or pause-related amendments” would be covered.

Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health

In response, Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, announced that the ministry would present an emergency proposal to the Ministry of Finance later this week. 

This proposal will outline key areas that require immediate government funding to sustain critical health interventions previously supported by USAID. 

While Atwine did not specify the exact financial gap, she acknowledged that the funding shortfall is already impacting operations, particularly in the provision of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV patients. 

She also confirmed that some personnel who were funded through USAID programs have already been laid off.The funding suspension is not only affecting government programs but also non-governmental health institutions. 

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), a leading HIV treatment and research facility, has informed its staff that it will be complying with the USAID directive.

 In an internal email seen by URN, Dr. Andrew Kambugu, the Executive Director of IDI, notified employees of the immediate suspension of activities funded by USAID. 

IDI operates a comprehensive HIV clinic, providing treatment for both HIV and related opportunistic infections. The loss of funding could significantly impact service delivery for thousands of patients who rely on these services.

With USAID funding covering essential health services across the country, the government is now under pressure to devise an immediate and sustainable alternative funding strategy. Stakeholders in the health sector are calling for swift government action to prevent disruptions to lifesaving medical programs, particularly for those living with HIV and other chronic conditions.

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Source: Ind