The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially announced a global administrative furlough starting Friday, resulting in the temporary suspension of USAID-funded projects in Vietnam, including critical healthcare programs for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS prevention.
From 2014 to 2024, USAID supported 16 health-related projects in Vietnam at a combined cost of approximately US$90 million.
The agency has played a vital role in TB control and HIV/AIDS prevention, working closely with the Vietnamese government to implement effective intervention programs.
USAID’s involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention in Vietnam dates back to the mid-1990s.
In June 2004, funding for Vietnam’s HIV/AIDS response significantly increased under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
USAID has since collaborated with the Vietnamese government to expand access to HIV testing and treatment, including providing antiretroviral therapy (ARV) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to high-risk populations.
USAID has supported Vietnam’s National TB Control Program since 2019, helping detect and treat TB cases while strengthening diagnostic and treatment protocols.
Most recently, in January, USAID assisted Vietnam in developing three technical guidelines to enhance TB detection and latent TB screening.
According to USAID, the suspension will last three months, with further updates to follow.
The PEPFAR program, which currently funds HIV testing, counseling, and PrEP treatment, will also impacted. (Tuoitre, Nguoiquansat)