Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has called for an immediate review and overhaul of the systems used to deliver life-saving HIV-AIDS drugs to Africa.
In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, he addressed the recent actions taken by the Trump administration to temporarily halt the provision of essential medications for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, along with medical supplies for newborns, in countries receiving support from USAID worldwide.
Kaluma criticized the executive order, which has led to significant changes in US foreign aid policies, particularly affecting the provision of essential drugs for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
According to the MP, Trump is linking medical aid to the recognition and promotion of LGBTQ+ rights. Kaluma opposed this condition, arguing that life-saving medical aid should not be tied to such social and political issues.
He expressed the urgent need for new systems to be put in place to ensure that African countries continue receiving the medical supplies necessary to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS, without being forced to adopt policies on LGBTQ+ recognition in exchange.
HIV treatment
This comes just days after Davji Atellah, the Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), urged Kenya to focus on investing in its health and development sectors.
His call followed the announcement by President Donald Trump of a temporary 90-day suspension of US foreign aid which was one of his first executive orders when he took office.
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Atellah emphasized the significance of the freeze, particularly for Kenya, which depends on US aid for vital health initiatives like PEPFAR, HIV treatment, and the Global Fund, along with broader security and development efforts.
“Donald Trump’s decision to pause US foreign aid for 90 days to reassess its alignment with ‘America First’ priorities poses a critical question for Kenya: What happens when the lifeline of donor funding is disrupted?” Atellah wrote.
He warned that the suspension could hinder progress in vital areas and put millions of Kenyans at greater risk if these funds are not reinstated.
The KMPDU leader urged the government to see this as a wake-up call, advocating for urgent reforms to tackle corruption and improve the efficiency of public spending. These steps, he stressed, are essential to protect crucial services and reduce dependency on foreign aid.
“With Kenya heavily reliant on US aid for health programs like PEPFAR, HIV treatment, and the Global Fund, as well as security and development initiatives, this decision threatens to derail progress and put millions at risk. How can Kenya safeguard its health and development agenda amid shrinking donor support? Is it time for the government to root out corruption, and ensure efficient public spending to protect critical services?” the KMPDU boss added.
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