Africa is taking significant steps to improve public health, particularly as the United States reassesses its foreign aid. If the US reduces its support, African nations will need to seek help from others. Countries like Korea, China, and Japan have already stepped in to assist during disease outbreaks.
Dr. Ngashi Ngongo from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) highlights the urgency of this issue. He stated that the US has been a major contributor to health programs in Africa, particularly for HIV initiatives funded through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
With the US withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa could lose around 20% of its funding. Ngongo also pointed out that while an official notification for withdrawal from the WHO is usually required, current executive actions may expedite the pause of US funding.
In response to these challenges, Rwandan President Paul Kagame is hosting a meeting to discuss alternative funding options for health programs. Ideas include increasing domestic spending and creating an African epidemic fund to ensure that health programs remain stable and effective.
Under Trump’s administration, foreign aid has faced scrutiny, which raises concerns about how African health programs can sustain themselves in the absence of US support. The focus is now on looking for new resources and strengthening partnerships with other nations willing to assist.
Amid these developments, another health crisis is unfolding: mpox is spreading in Africa, with thousands of new cases recently reported. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently the epicenter, but Uganda is also experiencing a rise in cases. Vaccination efforts are underway, especially in the Central African Republic.
In Tanzania, a second case of the Marburg virus has been confirmed, with nine out of ten suspected infections resulting in fatalities. The Africa CDC is sending experts to support Tanzania in managing the outbreak, utilizing the experience gained from previous situations in Rwanda.
These events illustrate Africa’s resilience and the necessity for a unified approach to tackling health challenges while adapting to shifts in international support. The future of public health in Africa may depend on finding new partners and maintaining robust health systems.
