In a recent testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 21, Secretary of State Marco Rubio proclaimed that no one has died as a result of the significant cuts to USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) funding for global health programs. At a subsequent congressional hearing, he reiterated, "No children are dying on my watch." However, the poignant story of Mariam Mohammed challenges this assertion.
Mariam Mohammed, a widowed mother of two, recounts the heart-wrenching loss of her younger son, 7-year-old Babagana Bukar Mohammed. Living in a single room made of cinderblocks in Bama, a town in northeastern Nigeria plagued by the militant group Boko Haram, their living conditions were already dire. Babagana, a cheerful boy who loved riding his bike, suffered from sickle cell disease.
On the night of February 2, Babagana developed a fever. Desperate for help, Mariam rushed him to the local clinic, just over a mile away. Unfortunately, when they arrived, the clinic, previously funded by USAID and the busiest medical facility in the area, was closed due to a stop-work order issued by the Trump administration. This order was part of a broader review of foreign aid programs, resulting in the cancellation of more than 80% of foreign aid contracts.
Despite the clinic reopening on April 14, over two months after Babagana's visit, the damage had already been done. Standing outside the shuttered clinic, Mariam felt shock and anger, praying for divine intervention. Tragically, that night, Babagana passed away. Without access to the free medical care provided by the USAID-funded clinic, Mariam could not afford treatment at the local government clinic, which charges for services.
Dr. Edifre Jacob, Babagana's physician at the clinic, expressed deep regret, stating, "We are sure we would have done something to save the patient." Sickle cell disease can lead to severe complications, and timely medical intervention is critical. Dr. Natasha Archer, director of the sickle cell disease program at Boston Children's Hospital, emphasizes the importance of prompt care, particularly for children with this condition.
In the wake of Rubio's statements, lawmakers have highlighted other tragic stories linked to the cuts in aid. For instance, Rep. Brad Sherman detailed the case of Pe Kha Lau in Myanmar, who could not receive oxygen due to the funding cuts, while Sen. Jeff Merkley cited research from Boston University estimating that over 96,000 adults and 200,000 children have died as a result of these drastic reductions in foreign aid.
Brooke Nichols, an infectious disease modeler, noted the difficulty in monitoring mortality in low- and middle-income countries, particularly when many health systems that collect such data were reliant on the same aid programs that were cut. Her team began their analysis shortly after the Trump administration halted USAID funding, projecting the potential impact on vulnerable populations.
While there are numerous uncertainties in these estimates, Nichols firmly believes in the gravity of the situation, stating, "We're talking about tens of thousands of people." In contrast, Secretary Rubio dismissed these figures as "false" and "fake," claiming that a significant portion of those reliant on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) were still receiving care, although he did not provide evidence to support his claim.
Now, Mariam Mohammed lives in constant fear for her older son, 9-year-old Umar, who also has sickle cell disease. While she is relieved that the clinic has reopened, the previous disruptions highlight the fragility of the healthcare system. Mariam's heartfelt wish is for USAID programs to continue, ensuring that families like hers have access to essential medical care.
In conclusion, the emotional and tangible impacts of USAID cuts on global health are starkly illustrated through the experiences of families like Mariam's. As discussions about foreign aid continue, it is imperative to consider the human cost behind policy decisions, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they desperately need.
