US Aid Cut: Neglected Diseases Roar Back

Funding for programs to combat neglected tropical diseases, like onchocerciasis, vanished when the Trump administration dismantled much of U.S. foreign assistance starting in 2025. These diseases, affecting over a billion people, are treatable and preventable but historically underfunded. The cessation of U.S. aid, which previously supplied approximately $115 million annually for drug distribution in Cameroon, has left communities vulnerable.

In Cameroon, the lack of ivermectin means the progress made in treating onchocerciasis is at risk of reversal. Community health workers report numerous complaints from residents no longer receiving treatment, highlighting the immediate impact of the funding cuts. Without sustained drug distribution, these diseases can resurge rapidly, leading to severe health consequences such as blindness.

Pharmaceutical companies continue to donate drugs, but U.S. funding was crucial for logistical steps like transportation and worker stipends, as well as costly surveillance. While a new spending bill being considered by Congress includes potential funding, the future of these neglected disease programs remains uncertain. Efforts are underway to integrate these programs into existing health services and secure new aid deals, though challenges like human resource retention persist.