Trump endangers progress in the HIV fight in Latin America

Trump endangers progress in the HIV fight in Latin America

It was almost 30 years ago that Rosember Lopez received a life-changing diagnosis: he was HIV-positive. In view of the then low state resources for the support of HIV patients in Mexico, Lopez Advocacy groups joined to secure the required financing for medication that should help him.

The struggle for access to medication

"In the first years after my diagnosis it was very difficult for me," he said CNN. "We had to fight for access to medication," said Lopez, who had an eye on and other those affected by the disease. This experience inspired him to found his own organization in Tapachula in southern Mexico in order to date to date, supported by funds from the United States.

The threat from US policy

Today, his organization is one of numerous auxiliary groups in all of Latin America, which through the Restriction International help through the Trump Administration in danger. The presidential emergency plan to combat AIDS (Peppers), a program from the George W. Bush era with broad party support, was severely affected by the US government's measures. Relief organizations warn that the stop of programs such as Pepfar could endanger millions of people who would have to interrupt their HIV treatment, which could lead to a resuscitation of HIV.

help for HIV-positive

organizations such as those of Lopez support people with HIV to gain access to antiretroviral drugs that reduce the risk of transmission and give them the opportunity for a long, healthy life. When Lopez heard from the help freeweze at the end of January, he was not only concerned with the future of his organization, 'A Helping Hand in the Fight Against Aids' (Umalcs), but also about the potential deaths that could result from a lack of HIV treatment.

The dangers of interruption of treatment

"" It reminded me of the times when there was no support and I thought: 'What will happen if we no longer have the support for antiretroviral treatments?' "He said.

Pepfar was a lifesaver for many people who live with HIV and AIDS, and has helped tens of million people worldwide since its foundation. But the Freezing foreign help contained, many auxiliary groups hit hard. Although the Foreign Ministry later issued an exemption for "life -saving" help, some auxiliary groups report that the financing is still restricted

growing concerns about patient health

Without constant treatment, Dr. Craig Spencer, an emergency doctor and professor at the Brown University School of Public Health, that within a few weeks or months "people who had their HIV well under control are uncontrolled. People who could not have been transferred beforehand". If Pepper is not renewed for the next four years and without other resources to combat HIV, 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths could occur in the near future, which corresponds to an increase of 400 %, Christine Stegling, deputy managing director of the Unaids.

The effects in Latin America

In Colombia, organizations such as Red Somos that offer HIV care for Venezuelan migrants are badly affected. According to David Marquez, the group's socio-political coordinator, around 300 Venezuelan migrants with HIV cannot continue their treatment, as this was carried out with Pepper support. "That could be dangerous for her life," says Marquez and adds that the organization is looking for other sources of financing.

"There will be not enough money for everyone", fears Miguel Lopez, who was diagnosed with HIV ten years ago and founded the organization 'Más Que Tres Letras' to normalize the public discussion about HIV in Colombia.

necessary international support

In Haiti, the health organization Zanmi Lasantante from Dr. Alain Casseus also severely affected by the help freee. Thousands of Haitians are dependent on their HIV care, but "we have to drastically reduce our activities," reports Casseus. "If these health institutions no longer existed, people would not receive any medication, no health care."

Without sufficient funding, auxiliary groups in Latin America call for the international community for support. "We are already feeling the effects because some US organizations that financed our work in Mexico are now closing," says Lopez from Mexico. "We urgently need international support to maintain our work."