Tue May 06 05:34:46 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Aid Cuts Leave Bangladesh’s Healthcare System in Crisis
**DHAKA, Bangladesh** – A sudden $48 million cut in US aid to Bangladesh is jeopardizing the country’s progress in combating tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases, leaving thousands vulnerable and potentially causing a surge in preventable deaths. The decision, attributed to the Trump administration, has effectively dismantled years of progress in public health initiatives.
Bangladesh had significantly reduced TB deaths – from over 81,000 annually in 2010 to 44,000 in 2023 – through a robust program supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This program included mass screenings that identified over 148,000 TB cases, including 18,000 children. The aid cuts, however, threaten to reverse these gains, potentially leading to a resurgence of the disease.
The impact extends beyond TB. USAID funding supported vital vaccination programs for 2.3 million children against diseases such as diphtheria, measles, polio, and tetanus, which are now at risk. A new feeding program for starving children has also been halted. The cuts have also resulted in the loss of 30,000 to 40,000 jobs, impacting aid workers and health professionals alike.
The situation is particularly dire for the Rohingya refugee population, where the reduction in aid increases the risk of cholera and other outbreaks. Reduced healthcare access for children under five will have devastating consequences. Maternal and newborn mortality rates are also expected to rise due to closed clinics and lack of pay for midwives.
While the US State Department claims the aid reallocation is intended to improve efficiency, Bangladesh is now seeking alternative sources of funding from countries including Arab nations, China, and Turkey. However, the immediate consequences of the cuts are severe, leaving thousands vulnerable and highlighting the far-reaching effects of sudden reductions in international aid.
First Piper 