Equatorial Guinea faces an ARV drug shortage due to global supply disruptions, affecting over 62,000 HIV patients.

Equatorial Guinea is currently experiencing a shortage of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, according to the Ministry of Health. The country, where approximately 62,000 people live with HIV and AIDS, is grappling with this challenge amid growing public concern. Health Minister Mitoha Ondo Ayecaba addressed the issue in a rare public statement broadcast on state television, following persistent rumours circulating on social media regarding the lack of essential medication.

Ayecaba attributed the shortage to a global logistical crisis of unprecedented scale, which he said was triggered by recent international policy decisions. He explained that disruptions in the global supply chain—from manufacturing to delivery—had severely impacted the availability of HIV treatment worldwide.

One such decision came from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who, upon returning to the White House in January, announced the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the termination of the PEPFAR programme, a key initiative in the global fight against AIDS. Although Equatorial Guinea was not a direct beneficiary of PEPFAR, the minister noted that the programme’s discontinuation had far-reaching consequences for the international supply and distribution of ARVs.

“Equatorial Guinea was not a PEPFAR beneficiary, but the impact on global distribution affected the ability to receive medication within the usual timelines,” Ayecaba said. “Since we are not a priority country in terms of volume, our orders have been delayed.”

Despite the delays, the minister confirmed that the first shipment of ARV drugs had arrived and that two additional consignments, amounting to over 13 tonnes of medication, were expected by Sunday.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of smaller nations in the global health supply chain, especially those not prioritized by volume or international aid programs. A recent official report reaffirms that over 62,000 people in Equatorial Guinea are living with HIV, making consistent access to treatment vital.

In a related warning earlier in March, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that ongoing disruptions to HIV programmes could potentially reverse two decades of progress. He cautioned that such setbacks might result in over 10 million new HIV infections and up to 3 million HIV-related deaths—more than triple the number recorded in the previous year.