Delayed care causes harm
In DRC, clinicians report increases in uterine ruptures, maternal deaths, and untreated cervical cancer as women delay care due to new fees and longer travel distances. In Madagascar, the termination of a USAID-supported maternal health program — previously credited with halving maternal and neonatal mortality in target regions — has led to sharp declines in referrals and facility-based deliveries.
Sources: Physicians for Human Rights, MSH
Midwife training has been halted
In Rwanda, the termination of the USAID-funded Ireme Project halted scholarships for 500 midwifery students, cutting off care for an estimated 250,000–500,000 women in the first year alone. In Afghanistan, a USAID program mentoring 9,000 maternal and newborn health workers was terminated, ending hands-on training in one of the world’s most dangerous places to give birth.
Source: MSH
Pregnancy care is moving farther away
In Afghanistan, women report traveling long distances to Kabul or Charikar after village clinics closed, often unable to afford transport or fees. In Uganda, the termination of community health programs has left millions of households without a local point of contact for prenatal and delivery care.
Source: CARE
Youth & vulnerable groups are losing critical prevention systems
Kenya’s DREAMS program — which kept 66,000 girls HIV-free over three years — shut down. In South Africa, U.S.-funded drop-in centers for key populations closed, cutting off PrEP, harm-reduction, methadone programs, and HIV commodities.
Source: Physicians for Human Rights, Ritshidze
Rape survivors have lost access to HIV prevention
Health facilities in DRC and Ethiopia ran out of PEP kits, a short-term emergency treatment that must be started within 72 hours of a potential exposure. This leaves survivors of sexual violence without the emergency medication needed to prevent HIV infection.
Source: Physicians for Human Rights
HIV infections in babies are rising
Clinicians in Kenya report the return of new HIV infections in newborns — something virtually eliminated under U.S.-supported maternal prevention. In Uganda, one clinic saw 25% of HIV-positive pregnant women give birth to HIV-infected infants after ARV stockouts and rationing.
Source: Physicians for Human Rights

