In a bold and emotional show of defiance, Haitians living with HIV are speaking out publicly against severe USAID funding cuts and a critical shortage of antiretroviral medications, drawing attention to a worsening public health crisis and the deepening stigma surrounding the disease.
At a recent press conference in Port-au-Prince, dozens of HIV-positive Haitians stood united, sharing their personal stories and calling on both Haitian authorities and the international community to restore life-saving support. Many of them risked social ostracism and even violence by revealing their HIV status, underscoring the desperation brought on by dwindling healthcare resources.
“We are not ashamed. We are not invisible. We are human beings fighting to survive,” said Marie-Claire Jacques, a 34-year-old mother and community advocate living with HIV for over a decade. “These medication shortages are not just numbers—they are deaths waiting to happen.”
The crisis stems in part from a sharp reduction in U.S. aid through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a global initiative historically funded through USAID. The cuts, which began in 2023, have been felt acutely in Haiti, where more than 150,000 people are living with HIV—many of whom rely on international aid for access to testing, treatment, and care.
Haitian NGOs and medical professionals warn that stockpiles of antiretroviral drugs are running dangerously low in both urban and rural clinics. Some patients have already gone weeks without access to essential treatment, risking drug resistance, severe health complications, and increased viral transmission.
“These cuts are catastrophic,” said Dr. Jean-Baptiste Morneau, a physician who works with several HIV treatment programs in Cap-Haïtien. “Without immediate intervention, we risk losing two decades of progress in the fight against HIV in Haiti.”
Advocacy groups say the funding reduction has also led to clinic closures, layoffs of healthcare workers, and a steep decline in outreach and education efforts—especially critical in a country where HIV-related stigma remains pervasive.
Public reaction to the protesters has been mixed. While some have praised their courage, others have responded with hostility and prejudice, exposing the deep cultural and religious taboos surrounding HIV in Haiti.
Nonetheless, activists say they will continue to raise their voices and demand accountability.
“This is not charity—it’s justice,” said activist and HIV survivor Jonas Désir. “We’re calling on the Biden administration, USAID, and Haitian leaders to act before more lives are lost.”
International health organizations, including UNAIDS and Médecins Sans Frontières, have expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation and are calling for emergency funding to prevent a large-scale public health collapse.
As Haiti continues to face political instability, economic collapse, and rising violence, access to basic healthcare—including HIV treatment—is increasingly under threat. But for those who stepped forward this week, silence is no longer an option.
Source : Swifteradio.com
