KAMPALA, Uganda — The reduction of financial support from the United States is impacting Africa’s ability to manage disease outbreaks, according to the head of the continent’s public health organization. This concern comes as leaders prepare to meet with regional health ministers to explore alternative funding methods. Jean Kaseya, who leads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), indicated that the upcoming meeting will focus on changes in global health funding sources and how to establish more sustainable financial support.
Kaseya spoke about a “new era” in health financing that has emerged following the aid cuts, which have disrupted health systems across Africa. The reduction in funding has affected both governmental and non-governmental sectors, disrupting initiatives aimed at combating diseases such as malaria and AIDS. This situation follows the previous U.S. administration’s move to terminate numerous foreign aid contracts and slash $60 billion in international assistance. Many affected programs are located in fragile nations heavily dependent on U.S. aid to maintain health systems and other vital services.
Particularly impacted is the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently at the center of mpox outbreaks in Africa. Aid reductions, coupled with instability in the country’s eastern regions, have complicated efforts to conduct disease testing and secure sufficient vaccine doses. The cuts have hindered the ability to collect and transport samples effectively, as noted by Kaseya.
“Aid cuts present a significant challenge for our countries and were implemented abruptly,” he stated. “Several nations were unprepared for such a profound reduction in aid.” This scenario reflects a broader decline in international monetary support, and Kaseya noted that it’s not just the U.S. reducing aid; other Western countries are also scaling back, posing a significant threat to Africa’s health security.
Discussions between the Africa CDC and the World Bank are underway to explore “transitional” funding options after the U.S. cutbacks. As international assistance wanes, Africa is actively seeking new avenues to ensure it can adequately respond to disease threats and uphold health security on the continent.
