Nigeria and other African countries have shut numerous clinics that were funded by USAID following recent funding cuts by US President Donal Trump.
The recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s administration have led to the closure of numerous health clinics across Africa, including Nigeria, severely impacting healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
In Nigeria, particularly in the conflict-hit Borno State, clinics that previously served up to 300 patients daily have abruptly shut down following the withdrawal of USAID funding.
This has resulted in the layoff of healthcare workers and left communities without essential medical services
“The clinics have been closed and (there are) no more free drugs or mosquito nets,” said Ibrahim.
The sudden dismantling of USAID — the country’s main foreign development arm — is unravelling health care systems across Africa that were built from a complicated web of national health ministries, the private sector, nonprofits and foreign aid.
“People with resources will be able to go and get drugs… but the poorest of the poor, out in remote areas of Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, they’re the ones who will be cut off,” said Lawrence Barat, a former senior technical advisor for the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
“They’re the ones whose children will die.”
