Doctors urge reversal of US HIV funding cuts

Hundreds of HIV doctors and researchers have urged the Trump administration to reverse recent funding cuts to international aid, which they say are harming the global fight against AIDS. The cuts have significantly impacted programs like PEPFAR, which has saved millions of lives. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83 percent of contracts under USAID have been terminated, effectively eliminating key anti-HIV initiatives. This has halted medical trials and led to layoffs at research institutions, including over 2,000 at Johns Hopkins University. The letter warns that if the cuts are not reversed, an estimated six million people could die in the next four years. The funding reductions have sparked protests and calls for action from the scientific community.