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.

While ARV treatment in Vietnam is covered by health insurance, PrEP relies heavily on USAID funding.

As a result, individuals may need to cover the costs of HIV testing and counseling themselves, although some existing PrEP stock from 2024 remains available at healthcare facilities.

A PEPFAR representative in Vietnam acknowledged the challenges posed by the funding suspension, saying that the project team is closely monitoring the situation and exploring potential solutions.

Regarding TB prevention and treatment, Dinh Van Luong, director of the National Lung Hospital and head of the National TB Control Program, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he had been notified of USAID's funding suspension.

Dr. Luong emphasized that USAID’s contributions have been instrumental in Vietnam’s TB control efforts and acknowledged that the pause in funding is a significant setback.

However, he added that Vietnam has anticipated a gradual reduction in international funding and has proactively strengthened its nationwide TB prevention network across 63 provinces and cities to ensure continued disease control.

He underlined the need for Vietnam to seek alternative funding sources to maintain TB prevention efforts.

According to USAID’s official website, all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally starting Friday night, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.

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