"HIV-infected people ... are massively affected by US President Trump's halt to US aid for humanitarian projects in Africa. More than one million HIV-infected people in Kenya now have to make do without medication," reported the FAZ on February 21, 2025.

In Tanzania, too, medical care for HIV patients is suffering from the end of the aid measures: The USAID Afya yangu project financed treatments, examinations and tests, education and training, evaluation, etc. as well as the payment of wages and salaries of the Care and Treatment Center staff in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

When USAID funding was stopped, the St. Walburg’s Hospital immediately ran into difficulties, reports Dr. Kasoga, the medical director: numerous employees lost their jobs from one Tag to the next, and important aid services and educational campaigns for patients could not be continued.

The hospital hired at least one of the doctors and another member of staff at its own expense to ensure a minimum level of care and continuity for the many patients. There was also a shortage of medication: instead of the 6-month pack, only one month's supply could be dispensed. However, this bottleneck has since been resolved. Dr. Kasoga is certain that the discontinuation of important measures to contain the disease will also lead to a significant increase in the spread of HIV in Tanzania.

It is also of far-reaching importance for the Nyangao region that anti-malaria medication is currently no longer available free of charge, but has to be sold to patients for the very first time, which will have serious consequences in view of the high level of poverty among the population here in southern Tanzania, says Dr. Kasoga.

The Artemed Stiftung supports the St. Walburg’s Hospital with the necessary equipment, knowledge exchange and infrastructure. This is possible thanks to your dedicated help and donations - our support is becoming increasingly important when others are withdrawing.