Bill Gates predicts a global health catastrophe: "The facts are simple and devastating."

Bill Gates, entrepreneur and philanthropist, has issued a forceful message against the cuts in international aid implemented by the United States. He explained that this policy jeopardizes key health programs and could lead to millions of preventable deaths , especially among the most vulnerable children.

Criticism focuses on the decisions of the current US administration, which has drastically reduced funding for initiatives such as PEPFAR and the Gavi alliance . Both programs have been instrumental in the global fight against diseases like HIV and have helped save millions of lives in recent decades.

Gates shared the testimony of a doctor in Africa whose PEPFAR-funded clinic is on the verge of running out of treatment for children with HIV. “ We've been waiting for months for new supplies . And we're not alone,” the doctor said, describing a situation that, according to the businessman, is a direct consequence of the closure of agencies like USAID.

These measures have been promoted by the Department of Government Efficiency , known as DOGE, promoted by Elon Musk. Gates has pointed out that this agency is behind the dismantling of aid structures that were essential to the survival of millions of people in developing countries.

A setback with a deadly impact

In a post on the social media platform X, the philanthropist emphasized: "The devastating effects of these cuts are entirely preventable, and it's not too late to reverse them." He also noted that US foreign aid has halved global infant mortality since the 1990s, dropping from 10 million deaths annually to fewer than 5 million.

Gates also cited a study published in The Lancet , which projects that if these cuts are not reversed, up to 8 million children under the age of five could die by 2040. “The facts are simple and devastating: aid cuts have already cost lives, and that number will continue to rise,” he warned.

During an interview with the Financial Times , the entrepreneur was even more explicit: “The image of the richest man in the world killing the poorest children is not a pretty one.” He also repeated this sentiment in an interview with The New York Times , insisting that Elon Musk could still become a great philanthropist if he refocused his decisions.

According to Gates, the Gavi funding cut could lead to an additional million deaths from preventable diseases . Meanwhile, PEPFAR-affiliated clinics are already reporting critical shortages, leaving thousands of patients in areas of extreme need without access to basic treatments.

Backed by studies, medical testimony, and official data, Gates has issued a warning that transcends politics . "I hope we can maintain our generosity so these people can stay alive," he declared, urging continued international commitment to public health . In his view, a large-scale tragedy can still be avoided, but the time to act is dwindling.