Expert Warns Trump's Actions Harm Global Health Efforts
Donald Trump was warned by Atul Gawande, a former professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and former USAID official, about the detrimental effects of his policies on global health.
On social media, Gawande raised concerns regarding Trump's 90 day Stop Work Order on foreign assistance, asserting that it is causing serious damage to the world and the United States.
Gawande noted several alarming consequences of this order, including:
- Halting efforts to combat a deadly Marburg outbreak in Tanzania and a mpox variant killing children in West Africa.
- Ceasing monitoring of bird flu in 49 countries, where the disease has already claimed an American life.
- Interrupting critical work aimed at eradicating polio.
- Stopping over 1 billion USD in corporate drug donations and coordination efforts to eliminate tropical diseases, such as river blindness and elephantiasis.
He further explained that the order disrupts essential medical supplies and support for over 90 million women and children who rely on vaccinations, prenatal care, and safe childbirth services.
Moreover, he stated it halts direct services for 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV across 23 countries, compromises drug supplies that sustain 20 million individuals living with HIV, and would potentially furlough half of USAID's global health bureau staff.
"This Administration is trashing US standing and alliances built over half a century, undermining world-leading capacity and American security," Gawande concluded.
