In the News: Our Favorite Moments from 2025

In a year of global uncertainty and unprecedented challenges, Partners In Health (PIH) remained committed to demonstrating what’s possible in global health delivery. Amid ongoing attacks on foreign aid, PIH continued to advance health equity across four continents.

Standing firm in our mission, we provided a preferential option for the poor in health care. This year, that included: 2.2 million family planning consultations, 795,200 home visits conducted by community health workers, and 160,800 mental health visits across all PIH care delivery sites.

Throughout the year, media coverage spotlighted areas of our work—from the United States to Haiti to Rwanda. Here are some of our favorite moments from 2025:

1. The Boston Globe: New England aid groups slam Trump administration move to shut down USAID: ‘People will die’

Before the federal government officially halted operations carried out by the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, humanitarian organizations—including PIH—warned of the devastating consequences this could have on the most vulnerable communities. In early February, The Boston Globe spoke with Dr. Joia Mukherjee, PIH’s chief medical officer, who warned that “people will die.” Read the full story. 

2. Forbes: Paul Farmer’s Moral Clarity Offers Hope, Amidst Chaos And Darkness

On February 20, PIH Trustee and TB expert Dr. Madhukar Pai wrote an essay on the third anniversary of PIH Co-founder Dr. Paul Farmer’s death. Pai recounted lessons learned from Farmer, including how to serve as an antidote to despair; and included reflections from a handful of leaders who worked closely with Farmer, such as PIH Co-founder Jim Yong Kim and PIH CEO Dr. Sheila Davis. Read the full story.

3. The Guardian: Tuberculosis could end if there’s more US public health funding, experts say

An article in The Guardian highlighted the largest Tuberculosis (TB) Hill Day to date, which involved about 250 advocates, experts, and survivors who attended 210 Congressional meetings in April. There was a major surge in grassroots support thanks to John Green, PIH trustee and bestselling author. Read the full story.

4. PIH: New Initiative Expands Access to Life-Saving Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment

In May, PIH and Unitaid launched a new initiative to improve care for people suffering from drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in seven high-burden countries. Over the next three years, the project—called Accelerating Regimens and Care for DR-TB (arcTB)—will improve case detection, connections to preventive and curative services, and the quality and availability of treatment, especially among children and pregnant women. Read the press release.

5. AP: Haitians with HIV defy stigma as they publicly denounce USAID cuts and dwindling medication

In Haiti, foreign aid cuts caused clinic closures, putting thousands of people living with HIV at risk. The Associated Press spoke with Zanmi Lasante’s (ZL’s), as PIH is known in Haiti, Infectious Disease Director Alain Casseus about the potential implications of funding cuts and ongoing violence putting patients at risk. Read the full story.

6. Entrepreneur: John and Hank Green Built a Company That Gives Away 100% of Its Profits — Here’s How

Brothers John and Hank Green continue to support PIH through their advocacy and ventures like the Good Store. In August, Entrepreneur spotlighted their social justice efforts, which support PIH’s maternal health work in Sierra Leone and TB work in Lesotho. Read the full story.

7. NEJM: In Paul Farmer’s Beautiful Garden of Global Health Equity: Reflections on the Third Remembrance of His Passing

In a powerful reflection published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Didi Bertrand Farmer reflected on the life and legacy of Paul Farmer. In her essay, Didi uses Paul’s love of gardening as a metaphor for his lifelong commitment to advancing global health equity. Read the full essay.

8. Devex: From obstacles to outcomes: Transforming breast cancer care in Rwanda

In Rwanda, PIH–in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and The Pfizer Foundation—is transforming breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Global news organization Devex published a story highlighting the impact of the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence, the vital role of community health workers, and more.
Read the full story.

9. Government Makes History in Kono as President Bio Commissions Maternal Center of Excellence in Koidu.

On October 25, Sierra Leone proudly unveiled the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE), a state-of-the-art facility designed to dramatically expand maternal services and set a new standard for care. A story published by the Ministry of Health recounts the ribbon-cutting ceremony led by President Julius Maada Bio and highlights the strong partnership with PIH. Read the full story.

10. Neighbor Thursday: Maternal mortality and neighboring in Sierra Leone

In November, epidemiologist Dr. Emily Smith wrote about the MCOE,   why it matters in Sierra Leone, and how dignity and human rights are centered as a design principle and human rights imperative. Smith spoke with Isata Dumbuya, PIH Sierra Leone’s director of reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health, and published a 34-minute recording of the conversation in her Substack newsletter. Watch the interview.