Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has assured the public of the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs despite the US government's aid freeze following President Donald Trump's executive order signed in January. The minister gave the assurance during a televised briefing Friday evening in the capital, Lilongwe, where she outlined some of the strides the health ministry has made since 2020. While acknowledging the concerns raised by the US president's executive order, particularly among Malawians living with HIV, she said Malawi has a sufficient stock of ARV drugs, test kits and other related supplies to last for a year, reassuring the public that there is no need to worry. According to the minister, support in the area of HIV mainly comes from the Global Fund. The withdrawal of U.S. funding primarily affected human resources in the health sector, with some Malawians unemployed following the closure of US-funded programs. Since their withdrawal, we have filled the gap with locally supported staff, said the minister. Malawi has nearly 1 million people living with HIV and receiving ARV treatment, according to data released by the government in 2024.
