The Trump administration has made some concessions to the halt placed on distributions of global HIV treatments via the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to The New York Times.

As part of the foreign aid freeze by President Donald Trump, the U.S. distribution of HIV drugs in poor countries has been stopped.

US President Donald Trump recently announced a freeze on an emergency plan for AIDS relief, also known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a federal program that provides HIV medications, is one of the programs on pause during a 90-day review ordered by the Secretary of State.

In a last-minute move, the Trump administration issues an emergency waiver to ensure millions of people in 55 countries continue receiving life-saving HIV treatment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep concern about the funding pause for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

PEPFAR, a $7.5 billion initiative established in 2003, has provided HIV care to millions worldwide. The recent suspension of the program raised concerns about the potential loss of access to HIV medications for more than 20 million people.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Build One South Africa (Bosa) have expressed concern over the US government’s decision to suspend over $400 million (R7.4 billion) in Pepfar (US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) funding for HIV/Aids programs in South Africa.

The federal government has commended the United States for approving an ‘emergency humanitarian waiver’ that allows HIV treatment funded by the US government across 55 countries, including Nigeria.

A stop in all of PEPFAR’s work shuttered clinics this week. Then, a new exemption for “life-saving” treatment left organizations uncertain.

But late last week, the State Department, led now by former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, issued a memo clarifying that the freeze includes current foreign assistance programs as well, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Also affected is USAID, which will hamper global efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB).