USAID Directs Immediate Resumption of Critical Health Services for TB, Malaria, and Newborn Care

In a recent directive, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has called for the immediate resumption of vital health initiatives aimed at combating tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and addressing critical newborn health concerns. This action comes in the wake of a 90-day suspension of foreign assistance programs initiated by President Trump upon assuming office.

The suspension, intended for a comprehensive review of international aid, led to widespread uncertainty among aid organizations regarding the continuation of essential health services. Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously issued a waiver indicating that “lifesaving” activities were exempt from the pause, ambiguities persisted about which specific programs qualified under this exemption.

To eliminate this confusion, USAID’s recent memo explicitly states that lifesaving activities must resume or continue within the next 30 days to prevent imminent mortality among beneficiaries. The memo highlights the urgency of reinstating programs that tackle TB, malaria, severe acute malnutrition, and other life-threatening health conditions. It also emphasizes the need to restart efforts against disease outbreaks such as mpox, avian influenza, and Ebola, alongside global health supply chain operations.

Despite this clear directive, some aid organizations remain uncertain about the specifics of program reinstatement and the availability of necessary funding, especially considering recent organizational changes within USAID. Martin Edlund, CEO of the global non-profit Malaria No More, acknowledged the memo as a crucial step toward resuming programs but noted that “start-work” orders are essential for activities like indoor spraying, net distribution, and malaria testing and treatment to effectively recommence.

A separate memo dated February 6 further clarifies that services related to the care, treatment, and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) should be resumed as promptly as possible.

The global health community is closely monitoring these developments, recognizing the critical importance of uninterrupted support for programs that save countless lives worldwide.

#USAID #HealthServices #Tuberculosis #Malaria #NewbornCare #ForeignAid #GlobalHealth