Tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease, is resurging at an alarming rate after the U.S. government slashed foreign aid, leaving thousands without access to critical testing and treatment.
The Human Cost of Aid Cuts
In western Kenya, Dalvin Modore, 40, struggles to walk, his frail body weakened by untreated tuberculosis. Once a strong man, his weight has plummeted to 110 pounds. With a persistent cough and blood-streaked vomit, he fears for his life, desperate for the medication he can no longer access.
Modore is one of thousands of Kenyans—and hundreds of thousands globally—left stranded after the Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign health aid. The disruption has halted essential TB programs, worsening the crisis and fueling further transmission in crowded households and communities.
A Collapsing Health System
Since the aid freeze took effect on January 20, 2025, TB programs across Africa and Asia have been devastated. The U.S. previously contributed nearly 50% of international donor funding for TB programs, covering testing, medication, and preventive care. The funding withdrawal has resulted in:
- Testing shortages: Sick children remain undiagnosed for weeks or months.
- Lack of treatment: Patients with drug-resistant TB are left untreated, spreading deadly strains.
- Overcrowded living conditions: Infected individuals in Nairobi’s slums share rooms and beds with unprotected family members.
Despite White House claims that other nations should increase their contributions, funding remains frozen, pushing health systems to the brink.
A Looming Global Threat
Experts warn that the ripple effects of this crisis could be catastrophic. Without immediate intervention, tuberculosis rates could skyrocket, reversing decades of progress. Public health officials emphasize that delayed treatment not only endangers patients but accelerates the spread of drug-resistant TB strains worldwide.
Governments and international agencies are scrambling for solutions, but without urgent action, millions remain at risk.