WHO: Washington Assistance Cuts Threaten Millions of Human Lives

 Havana, March 17 (ACN) Washington’s cuts of assistance to global health programs threaten millions of lives due to diseases like Malaria, HIV and TB, said World Health Organization (WHO) general director Tedros Adhanom.

In a press conference in Geneva, the WHO directive said that the flash loss of US funds in many countries poses a threat on disease control, immunization levels, infant-mother health and preparation for emergencies.

Adhanom directly referred to the US cuts of funds through USAID, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies, according to PL news agency.

The United States has been the main bilateral donor in the fight against Malaria over the past two decades, which helped the prevention of more than 2 billion cases and over 12 million deaths.

The cut of most funds for the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) led to the immediate freeze of treatment, tests and prevention of HIV in more than 50 countries.

The US measure could wipe out the progress reached over the past 20 years and cause more than 10 million HIV new cases and three million additional deaths due to the virus.

On the other hand, 27 African and Asian countries face the collapse of their T.B. systems due to lack of resources, diagnostic interruption, deterioration of community participation among other factors.

Tedros Adhanom said that the US administration is free to decide whom they support, but it is also entitled to guarantee that, in case of withdrawing the financing, they must do it in an orderly and humane manner so that the countries affected can find an alternative.

The WHO directive urged Washington to reconsider his support of world health, which not only saves lives but also makes the US safer as it prevents the outbreaks from spreading around the globe.