The scene at Lodwar County Referral Hospital on April 1, 2025, painted a stark picture of an unfolding health crisis. Members of the pharmacology department were observed taking inventory of the dwindling final consignments of medical drugs. These supplies were remnants from deliveries made by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an organization whose operations had been dismantled, leading to significant medical supply shortages within the facility.

The root of this disruption can be traced back to January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump commenced his term as United States President. His administration ushered in substantial policy shifts that reverberated throughout the health sector, not only within the United States but on a global scale. Among the most impactful of these changes was the issuance of a stop-work order that directly impeded the functioning of USAID.

The cessation of USAID's crucial operations, prompted by the new administration's directive, had far-reaching consequences. This disruption directly contributed to challenges in maintaining essential medical supplies in various regions dependent on USAID's support, as evidenced by the shortages at facilities like the Lodwar County Referral Hospital. The policy changes under the Trump administration thus had a tangible and adverse effect on global health initiatives and access to vital medicines.