By John Umeh
Health workers and public health advocates in Abia State have raised serious concerns over a troubling spike in HIV/AIDS cases, attributing the surge in part to gaps created by U.S. foreign health policies implemented during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to recent reports from the state’s Ministry of Health, there has been a noticeable rise in new HIV infections, especially among youths and vulnerable groups. Medical professionals are warning that the trend, if not quickly addressed, could reverse years of progress made in the fight against the virus.
“The numbers are going up, and that’s very alarming,” said Dr. Ifeanyi Udeh, a leading HIV/AIDS specialist in Umuahia. “Our testing centers are recording a growing rate of new infections monthly. Part of the problem is the disruption in global HIV funding structures caused by policy shifts in recent years—particularly the anti-AIDS stance under the Trump-era global health policies.”
Health experts point to the controversial reinstatement and expansion of the “Mexico City Policy,” commonly referred to as the “global gag rule,” during Trump’s presidency. The policy prohibited U.S. funding for international organizations that provide or even discuss abortion-related services. However, its broad interpretation affected many healthcare providers who also offered HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services, thereby limiting their operations and funding streams.
“These policies cut off critical lifelines for grassroots health initiatives in states like Abia,” said Ngozi Nwachukwu, a local public health advocate. “Several NGOs that used to offer free HIV testing, education, and antiretroviral drugs had to scale back or shut down entirely. The aftermath is what we’re witnessing now.”
In rural areas of the state, the situation appears even grimmer. Access to prevention resources such as condoms, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and HIV education has sharply declined, leaving residents vulnerable. Meanwhile, stigma around HIV continues to discourage testing and treatment, compounding the crisis.
While some funding has been restored under the Biden administration, local healthcare workers argue that the damage done during the Trump years lingers. They are calling on both national and international stakeholders to increase awareness, re-invest in community-based HIV programs, and expand outreach, especially in high-risk zones.
“We must not let politics endanger public health,” said Dr. Udeh. “Lives are on the line. HIV/AIDS is still very much a reality here, and we need global cooperation, not retreat.”
As the state grapples with this growing public health concern, health workers are urging immediate intervention to prevent further spread. They are also appealing for a review of foreign aid policies to ensure that humanitarian health support remains insulated from ideological shifts.
