A US judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s freeze on funding for lifesaving HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis drugs in countries supported by US-AID, following widespread concern from global health organizations.

Judge Loren AliKhan issued a brief stay, pausing the order until Monday afternoon, as she weighs the lawsuit filed by a coalition of organizations representing federal grant recipients.

The freeze, which aimed to pause federal funding for “open awards” already granted, was set to impact a variety of federal programs, ranging from disaster relief to cancer research. In a ruling that sought to “preserve the status quo,” AliKhan questioned the clarity of the White House's directive.

"It seems like the federal government currently doesn’t actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause," she noted.

The White House originally justified the move as a necessary step to align federal spending with President Trump’s priorities, including a sharp focus on curbing programs associated with gender issues and diversity.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the pause would allow the administration to be “good stewards of tax dollars,” ensuring that federal funds were not used for what she described as “woke” gender initiatives.

"He’s just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people," she said.

This ruling comes as a significant relief to countries like Kenya, where the freeze threatened to disrupt vital HIV treatment programs.

The initial order had instructed contractors and partners to cease work immediately, signalling the end of the life-saving PEPFAR program, which has been crucial in preventing millions of HIV infections globally.

In Kenya alone, PEPFAR allocated Sh43 billion from October 2024 to September 2025, supporting HIV testing, treatment, and management.

Health experts warned that this funding cut could jeopardize HIV treatment, potentially leading to the emergence of drug-resistant strains and further spread of the virus.

The Kenyan government, while relieved by the court’s intervention, is still transitioning to alternative funding sources for HIV management after the U.S. withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) and stopped HIV-related aid.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa assured the public that the government is actively working on solutions, mapping out the sectors most affected by the freeze, and seeking interventions to ensure continued access to treatment.

“I have tasked the various state departments and programmes that will be affected by this, so that we can be able to map out and look at the impact in matters finance, human resource etc. and with this we will come with a concrete way forward in terms of interventions which we will share with the Cabinet,” she said.

Kenya has worked with USAID under PEPFAR since 2003, preventing approximately 270,000 HIV-related deaths and offering medical supplies that have helped save millions globally.

Despite the temporary judicial intervention, the World Health Organization (WHO) remains deeply concerned, highlighting the potential risks to over 30 million people globally who rely on HIV programs funded by PEPFAR.

"We are sounding the alarm on the catastrophic consequences of a funding pause for HIV programmes," WHO said.

The funding halt, if prolonged, could reverse decades of progress in the fight against HIV, leading to an alarming rise in new infections and deaths.

“This is not just a matter of numbers; it's a human crisis. Millions of people living with HIV will be at immediate risk of illness and death if we don't act quickly," WHO warned.

The organization called on the U.S. government to issue exemptions to continue delivering lifesaving HIV treatment, stressing the urgent need for the international community to act swiftly to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

PEPFAR, a flagship initiative of the global HIV response, has provided treatment to over 20 million people and helped prevent more than 26 million deaths.

However, the current freeze threatens to undo years of progress.

The WHO, alongside its partners, remains committed to supporting countries through this crisis, urging global leaders to prioritize the needs of people living with HIV to avoid a severe global health setback.

“The thought of going back to those dark days is unacceptable; we can't afford to let that happen,” WHO added.