USAID 'temporarily pauses' globally, TB and HIV/AIDS prevention projects in Vietnam affected

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially announced a global “administrative leave” effective February 7. This means that USAID projects currently being implemented in Vietnam will also be suspended.

HIV/AIDS prevention program provides exposure prevention drugs for high-risk subjects - Photo: HIV/AIDS DEPARTMENT

Many health projects are funded by USAID.

Regarding the health sector, during the period 2014-2024, USAID has implemented 16 support projects in Vietnam with a budget of about 90 million USD. Of which, mainly projects are on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention.

USAID's archives of projects in Vietnam show that USAID began supporting HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs in Vietnam in the mid-1990s. In June 2004, the HIV/AIDS prevention and control budget for Vietnam increased within the framework of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

USAID has worked with the Government of Vietnam to support effective HIV interventions to reach and test high-risk groups. It has also provided treatment and maintenance of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for people living with HIV; and supported pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

For the TB program, starting in 2019, USAID has partnered with the National Tuberculosis Control Program to support the Government of Vietnam in detecting, treating, and preventing TB. One of the key components is to strengthen TB case and latent TB detection through updating and developing key technical guidelines.

Most recently, in January 2025, the USAID End TB project supported Vietnam in developing three technical guidelines to enhance TB case detection and latent TB.

Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention projects affected

According to USAID, the projects will be suspended for 3 months and further announcements will be made. The PEPFAR project is supporting costs such as HIV testing services, counseling, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

In particular, PrEP drugs are mostly funded by funding sources, so when the project is suspended, there will be certain difficulties. For ARV treatment (drugs that prevent the development of the HIV virus in the body, helping people with HIV to continue living a normal life), health insurance has paid for it.

Currently, Vietnam is still accepting other sources of support and maintaining ongoing projects.

USAID website announced that all employees will be placed on administrative leave globally from February 7 - Photo: Screenshot

According to the representative of the PEPFAR project in Vietnam, the HIV/AIDS prevention and control project covers the costs of HIV testing services, counseling and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Currently, PrEP drugs are still available at facilities because the drug funding from 2024 is still available. Thus, when the project is suspended, people will have to pay for testing and consultation costs themselves. "We will continue to monitor information related to the project in the coming time," he said.

Regarding tuberculosis prevention programs, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Dinh Van Luong, director of the Central Lung Hospital, the executive board of the National Tuberculosis Control Program, said that he had also received information about the suspension of projects funded by USAID.

Mr. Luong said that over the years, USAID projects have made great contributions to tuberculosis prevention and control in Vietnam. "This is a huge source of funding for tuberculosis programs. It is regrettable that USAID has temporarily suspended its activities.

The National Tuberculosis Control Program has also predicted that foreign funding will gradually decrease. Therefore, we have built a tuberculosis prevention and control system in 63 provinces and cities from hospitals to localities. The work of tuberculosis prevention and control is still guaranteed.

When foreign funding decreases, we will have to calculate to carry out disease prevention work from other sources," Mr. Luong shared.

According to information on USAID's official website from February 7, all USAID employees will be placed on administrative leave globally, except for designated employees responsible for critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/usaid-tam-nghi-tren-toan-cau-du-an-phong-chong-lao-hiv-aids-tai-viet-nam-bi-anh-huong-2025020512440878.htm