Reverse ‘Stop-Work Order’: Prioritize Quality Healthcare
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By Njeri Irungu
Kenya’s healthcare system is facing a severe crisis following the U.S. government’s decision to suspend foreign aid for 90 days. The suspension, initiated by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, has disrupted essential health programs, threatening the progress made over decades in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The halt in funding affects critical initiatives such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID, and the Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI). As a result, more than 150 health clinics have closed, leaving over 72,000 patients without access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy. Drop-in centers that provided crucial health and social services, especially for adolescent girls and young women, have also shut down. Programs targeting tuberculosis have been significantly impacted, with the procurement and distribution of essential medical supplies disrupted, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The situation is further compounded by the suspension of salaries for approximately 35,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, community health workers, and outreach staff. With these professionals placed on unpaid leave, critical healthcare services have come to a standstill, leaving millions of Kenyans vulnerable to new infections and worsening health conditions.
Despite assurances from government officials that the situation is under control, civil society organizations and healthcare advocates are raising urgent concerns. They warn that unless immediate action is taken, Kenya could face a public health disaster that will undo years of progress.
In response to the crisis, health sector stakeholders are making an urgent appeal. They are calling on the U.S. government to reverse the funding suspension and uphold global health governance principles based on cooperation and inclusivity. They are also urging Kenya’s national and county governments to treat the crisis as an emergency and allocate additional resources through a supplementary budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, with increased funding in the 2025/2026 budget.
Additionally, there is a call for rapid response initiatives to ensure that patients receive the healthcare services they have missed. The government is urged to implement transparent measures and proactively communicate with the public about the steps being taken to address the crisis. To prevent similar situations in the future, stakeholders are also advocating for the establishment of sustainable healthcare funding mechanisms, the prioritization of health at all levels of government, and the development of robust infrastructure to handle future disruptions in service delivery.
Kenya has long been a key partner in U.S.-funded health programs, which have played a vital role in improving healthcare access, increasing life expectancy, and reducing disease burdens. The sudden funding suspension threatens to reverse these achievements and erodes trust in international health partnerships.
With millions of lives at stake, civil society groups emphasize that urgent action is needed to prevent a full-scale national health crisis. They are calling on both the U.S. and Kenyan governments to act swiftly in protecting the health and well-being of the people.
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