The sudden freezing of USAID is jeopardising the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, the Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology said, asking: “What are their implications for viral hepatitis elimination, for which progress has already stalled?
It said although The Global Fund has recently broadened support for viral hepatitis, reductions to its funding may see it "revert to solely focusing on closing gaps in treatment and prevention for its core diseases.”
It noted that USAID was a major donor to the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, which only launched its hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination program in June 2024, and adding that speculation that the UK may also be planning to cut support to Gavi was deeply alarming.
“Funding for viral hepatitis is already scarce. Rollback of international support might see governments pivot limited resources to focus on diseases that are deemed a higher priority.”
The editorial, as well as a joint letter by prominent public health professionals and advocates, expressed alarm at the shuttering of much needed aid, and the potential breakdown of the global health infrastructure. This was reiterated in an interview of World Hepatitis Alliance past president, Su Wang, by online channel, Contagion.
