Nigeria Faces Healthcare Crisis as US Halts AIDS Relief Funding – Aproko Doctor Sounds Alarm

 Renowned Nigerian medical professional and social media influencer, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has raised urgent concerns over the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system following the reported suspension of U.S. funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Egemba warned that Nigeria can no longer afford to rely on foreign donations to sustain its healthcare sector, particularly in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

 He stressed that the country must take its healthcare system seriously before the situation spirals out of control. According to him, the sudden pause in PEPFAR funding could have dire consequences, including a surge in HIV infections and deaths due to lack of access to life-saving antiretroviral drugs.

Egemba explained that without proper treatment, most people living with HIV will eventually develop AIDS, making early intervention critical. 

He noted that the majority of antiretroviral drugs in Nigeria are sourced from international donations because of their high cost, and with the withdrawal of U.S. funding, the country could face a devastating health crisis. 

Currently, Nigeria records nearly 200,000 new HIV infections every year, a number that could rise significantly if urgent measures are not taken.

Beyond HIV, he warned that tuberculosis and malaria treatments would also be severely affected, further weakening the country’s already overburdened healthcare system. 

The suspension of foreign aid, he argued, would place additional strain on hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals who are already struggling to meet the demands of a growing population.

Egemba’s warning has sparked widespread concern among Nigerians, many of whom have taken to social media to express frustration over the government’s heavy reliance on foreign aid for critical healthcare services. 

He urged the authorities to act swiftly and take full responsibility for the nation’s healthcare, emphasizing that the time for action is now.