COMMUNITY PROFILE But on Monday, March 10th, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the purge of USAID programs is complete and 83% of the agency’s programs have been eliminated. For now, Gilbert’s only solution is to limit the amount of medications patients can receive during their visits while he tries to find any other solution. “Patients used to get refills for three to six months at a time. Now, they get one month—sometimes less,” Gilbert said. “Some people travel long distances for treatment, and if they can’t afford transport every month, they miss doses. When they miss doses, the virus mutates and becomes resistant. This is how we lose lives.” Wiederholt is working to find alternative sources for HIV medications, including generic options from China, Canada, or the U.K., but the financial burden is staggering. “If we bought a month’s supply of medication in the U.S., it would cost about $3,000 per person per month. In Uganda, with USAID funding, it was around $150 a year to treat a person. Without USAID, people simply can’t afford to survive.” The loss of HIV treatments won’t just harm Uganda—it could have global consequences Dr. Rowen warned. “As we’ve seen again and again, when it comes to CRAZY LOVE AFRICA IS LAUNCHING A FUNDING DRIVE TO PURCHASE AND DELIVER ARV MEDICATIONS TO THOSE THEY SUPPORT IN UGANDA. | PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAZY LOVE AFRICA pathogens and microbes and viruses and bacteria, diseases don’t recognize national boundaries. So we’re really hurting our own country by destabilizing the world and taking away vital medical services,” she said. For those in the U.S. wondering why they should care “This isn’t just a funding issue—it’s a moral issue,” Rowan said. Gilbert said ARV medications are a miracle to his community because they not only save lives but also limit the spread of the disease. “Here in Uganda, you are either infected or affected by the disease,” said Gilbert, who has two sisters and other family members living with HIV. Gilbert said individuals with access to ARVs are able to live a normal life, work, and raise children. “But if someone misses their medications, HIV is so, so, so damn bad,” Gilbert said. Even before the USAID cuts it was not an easy task to convince individuals to begin taking ARV medications. There is a severe stigma to HIV infection in the country and individuals hide their infection to avoid being ostracized. Many women and children have been abandoned by their husbands and fathers in Uganda. “If a woman was to find out she was HIV positive, of course she would look to her partner and be like, ‘Where did I get this?’ And he may also be HIV positive, but once he finds out she’s HIV positive, he would leave her because she’s tainted,” Wiederholt said. Rowan also emphasized the far-reaching impact of such cuts, not just on individuals but on global stability and local economies. “When you prioritize women and girls in the HIV response, economic prosperity follows,” she said, highlighting how investment in healthcare translates to stronger economies. Just being seen entering a clinic to receive treatment could lead to being shunned by their neighbors. Poverty and limited access to transportation can also prevent an individual from accessing the drugs. Natgouza Susan is a social worker in Ft. Portal working with individuals and families living with HIV. She said she often spends hours with individuals helping them understand that ARVs can help individuals live normal lives. “Whenever I go to a house, I do comfort them so that even NATGOUZA SUSAN SAID, “IF WE CAN GET SUPPORT, WE CAN LIVE. BUT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WAITING, AND WE ARE SCARED.” | PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAZY LOVE AFRICA 6 DENVER VOICE April 2025 “ THIS WILL TAKE US BACK TO THE 1980S WHEN HIV WAS UNCONTROLLED, WHEN PEOPLE WERE DYING IN LARGE NUMBERS. IF USAID DOESN’T REINSTATE FUNDING, WE WILL LOSE MANY LIVES.” though there are many challenges in life, at least they know they have someone to lean on. I wish we could still offer medication, but we don’t know what the future will be, so I just offer comfort now,” Susan said by phone. Susan said she fears that many people will give up hope. She said she has heard many people say that they believe God is punishing them in response to the USAID cuts. “If we can get support, we can live. But right now, we are waiting, and we are scared,” Susan said. Gilbert said he is losing sleep because he has had to start rationing medication. He is hoping the USAID freeze will end before his patients begin missing doses. about what happens in Uganda Gilbert has a simple answer. “When governments support each other, everyone benefits. If Uganda’s healthcare system collapses, it destabilizes the country. That affects trade, migration, security, and global health. We need each other,” he said. You can donate to Crazy Love Africa’s efforts to support by following the link: https://donorbox.org/life-savingmedical-fund.
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