Medical Update: Ongoing Supply Challenges & Patient Care in Uganda

Thank you for being a part of the ongoing work at Cherish! Many of you have given specifically in response to the halt in USAID funding, and we want to share an update on where things currently stand.

While some ART (antiretroviral) medication is still arriving, the situation remains unstable. We are now receiving much smaller, short-term supplies—typically only enough for one to one and a half months at a time—with nothing secured beyond that.

Supply is still coming—but without stability.
Before the funding disruptions, we often had more than six months of medication in stock. Now, we are dependent on monthly or short-term deliveries, trusting each time that the next shipment will arrive.

Pediatric medication is especially vulnerable.
We did not receive ART for children this month and are currently relying on remaining stock from previous supply. At this point, we have about one month left, with no confirmed resupply.

We are now supplying medication on a short-term basis.
To ensure continued care for our patients, we are distributing ARVs in one-month increments, and for those who come in needing emergency doses, we can only provide a two-week supply before referring them elsewhere.

Basic medical resources are no longer guaranteed.
Items we once received regularly—such as gloves, masks, and protective gear—are no longer consistently supplied. We are now sourcing or purchasing these items ourselves.

Testing and outreach have been impacted.
Due to a lack of HIV and TB test kits, we are currently unable to carry out local outreach testing, limiting our ability to identify and serve new patients in the community. We do, however, continue testing within our clinic.

Additional medications are becoming harder to access.
Drugs like antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals are not consistently available, which means many of our patients are now required to pay out of pocket for treatments that were previously free.

There is no longer stability in the government system.
What was once dependable is now uncertain. Each decision requires continued careful stewardship as we work to ensure that the resources we do have are used wisely and reach those who need them most.

What can you do?

First and foremost, we ask you to pray—for consistent supply, for wisdom in how we steward what we have, and for provision where there are gaps.

We trust in a God who is not limited by uncertainty, and we believe He will continue to make a way.

If you feel led, you can also support our Medical Relief Fund, which helps cover the cost of essential medical supplies we are now having to source on our own.

We remain committed to caring for our patients—both physically and spiritually—believing that God is at work in every detail and will faithfully provide for every need!

Thank you for standing with us in faith and action.

With gratitude,
Brent & Leah Phillips