USAID: Nigeria must reduce reliance on foreign health aid – Dr. Usman Bashir

By Aliyu Inuwa Mansir On Mar 15, 2025

foreign health aid,Usman Bashir, USAID, HIV, Kano, Nigeria, — (R-L) Dr. Usman Bashir and Abdullateef Abubakar Jos during the program

The Director General of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Usman Bashir, has addressed concerns regarding the suspension of USAID-funded health interventions by the United States President Donald Trum led administration emphasizing that while the move may pose challenges, it also serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its healthcare systems and reduce reliance on foreign aid.

Recall that the Trump administration in February said it is eliminating more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance around the world, putting numbers on its plans to eliminate the majority of U.S. development and humanitarian help abroad.

The cuts detailed by the administration would leave few surviving USAID projects for advocates to try to save in what are ongoing court battles with the administration.

Speaking on SolaceBase Tv program Moment with AAJ, Dr. Bashir clarified that USAID has not entirely exited but rather suspended certain activities to reassess policies and determine what programs to continue.

He highlighted that USAID’s support extends beyond healthcare, covering critical sectors such as agriculture, education, emergency response, and epidemic control.

“In the health sector, their interventions have been particularly impactful in tackling HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and malnutrition,” he said.

Dr. Bashir noted that USAID has played a significant role in Nigeria’s fight against HIV for over 25 years, primarily through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Their support includes the provision of essential antiretroviral drugs, HIV test kits, and other medical supplies. However, there has been a gradual reduction in their direct involvement, with states like Kano taking on greater responsibility for supplying test kits and ensuring continued access to HIV testing, particularly for pregnant women and vulnerable groups.

He expressed concern that the suspension of USAID’s intervention could impact drug supply, given that Nigeria has approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV. “The cost of providing antiretroviral drugs for these individuals can reach nearly one trillion naira annually, making sustained support crucial.” However, Dr. Bashir reassured that PEPFAR has an agreement ensuring that “any patient already on treatment will continue receiving medication for life.” The only expected change might be that newly diagnosed patients would have to rely more on government funding for their treatment.

Beyond HIV treatment, USAID has contributed to healthcare workforce training, health system management, policy development, and the provision of critical medical equipment, including viral DNA machines and ambulances. They have also supported infrastructure development in healthcare facilities and provided essential utilities, such as electricity and water, in some hospitals.

“These interventions have been vital in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system,” Dr. Bashir stressed.

He acknowledged that while the suspension of USAID’s activities may create temporary gaps, it presents an opportunity for Nigeria to enhance its self-sufficiency in healthcare. “We must invest in local drug manufacturing and develop the capacity to produce essential test kits, reducing our dependency on foreign support.” He disclosed that in Kano, existing drug and test kit supplies can last for about five to six months, but national-level efforts are needed to ensure long-term sustainability.

Dr. Bashir pointed out that controlling the spread of HIV requires a nationwide and even regional approach, given the high mobility of people across states and countries. With sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden of HIV globally, he stressed the importance of strong governance and political will to tackle the epidemic effectively.

“With proper governance and political will, we can effectively control this epidemic,” he noted, adding that Kano has implemented measures such as mandatory premarital HIV screening since last year to help curb transmission.

The fight against HIV, he explained, has evolved with medical advancements, allowing for discordant couples—where one partner is HIV-positive, and the other is not—to live together safely. “Through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and proper medical guidance, such couples can have healthy, HIV-negative children” Additionally, routine testing has been integrated into blood transfusions, antenatal care, and labor wards to ensure early detection and prevention.

Efforts to raise awareness about HIV prevention and control continue through community engagement, radio and television programs, jingles in multiple languages, and outreach campaigns targeting various groups, including young people, religious leaders, and market communities. “Behavior change is key in the fight against HIV,” Dr. Bashir emphasized. “Sustained education and advocacy remain crucial.”

While acknowledging the potential challenges posed by USAID’s suspension of activities, Dr. Bashir expressed confidence that Nigeria is making progress in becoming more self-reliant in healthcare. “Unlike in the past when foreign donors handled most interventions, local authorities are now actively involved in managing and sustaining these programs” He called for increased investment in health systems to ensure that the country is not caught unprepared in the face of future funding changes.