Botswana faces health uncertainty as US suspends aid
Botswana is bracing for economic and health sector shocks following the United States' decision to suspend foreign aid for 90 days.
The abrupt move, announced by President Donald Trump on January 28, has triggered concerns across nations heavily reliant on US assistance for critical programs, including HIV/AIDS treatment and economic development initiatives.
Dr. Christopher Nyanga, spokesperson for Botswana’s Ministry of Health, while acknowledging the critical role US aid has played in advancing Botswana’s healthcare system expressed concern over the potential consequences of the funding freeze.
“There is no doubt that without US support, Botswana may not have been one of the first countries to reach and exceed the ambitious UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets,” Nyanga told the Voice.
The UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression. Botswana has been a global leader in meeting these targets, but the sudden withdrawal of US funding threatens to reverse these gains.
A recent study shows that if USAID funding were paused for a year, 23 economies would experience a financial shock exceeding 1% of their Gross National Income (GNI), with eight facing a severe impact of 3% or more. Among them, eight low-income and eight lower-middle-income countries stand to lose over 20% of their total foreign assistance.
For decades, Botswana has benefitted from US foreign aid, particularly in healthcare, where funding has supported both direct service delivery and technical assistance. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), introduced in 2003, has contributed over P1 billion to Botswana’s health sector, significantly strengthening the country’s response to HIV/AIDS.
