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Dr. Chinonso Egemba, a Nigerian medical professional widely recognized as Aproko Doctor on social media, has voiced alarm over Nigeria’s healthcare system in light of the United States’ reported halt in funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). His concerns reflect growing unease about the sustainability of crucial healthcare initiatives amid dwindling international support.
On Tuesday, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, shared his concerns via X, warning that Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot continue to thrive on donations alone. He called for urgent reforms to build a more self-sufficient health infrastructure capable of addressing the nation’s growing needs.
In light of the halt in U.S. foreign aid, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, also known as Aproko Doctor, warned that Nigeria may see an uptick in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria cases. He stressed that without external support, the country’s already strained healthcare infrastructure could struggle to contain these preventable diseases.
“Now is the time to take our health system seriously. The second-best time was yesterday. Nigeria cannot continue to depend on donations for its own healthcare,” Egemba stated.
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Highlighting the severe consequences of the aid cut, he also known as Aproko Doctor, emphasized how particularly vulnerable people living with HIV in Nigeria will be affected. He warned that the loss of critical funding could leave them without the care and treatment they rely on for survival.
“If you don’t treat HIV, almost everyone affected will develop AIDS,” he explained, stressing that antiretroviral drugs are crucial in suppressing the virus and preventing transmission.
He pointed out that the HIV medications provided in Nigeria are mainly donated because of their steep cost. He warned that with the cessation of PEPFAR funding, the country faces a looming crisis, with no immediate solution to bridge the gap in resources needed for the ongoing treatment of those living with HIV.
“If Nigeria doesn’t rise to the occasion and take charge, infections will rise—currently close to 200,000 new infections every year. People will die from AIDS because drugs are not available,” he warned.
Beyond HIV, he added that the suspension of funding would also affect other diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, further straining the country’s already burdened healthcare system.
“Our already burdened healthcare system will be burdened further which might be make or break.
“These are just a snippet of the ripple effect. Let’s not forget that diseases like tuberculosis and malaria are being affected also by the pause of funding,” he said, urging authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation.