Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The US Government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries, part of its new approach to global health funding.
The agreements are the first under the new global health framework, which makes aid dependent on negotiations between the recipient country and the US Some of the countries that have signed deals either have been hit by US aid cuts or have separate agreements with the Trump administration to accept and host third-country deportees, although officials have denied any linkage.
The Trump administration on December 24 said the new “America First” global health funding agreements are meant to increase self-sufficiency and eliminate what it says are ideology and waste from international assistance. US aid cuts have crippled health systems across the developing world, including in Africa, where many countries relied on the funding for crucial programs, including those responding to outbreaks of disease.
The new approach to global health aligns with President Donald Trump’s pattern of dealing with other nations transactionally, using direct talks with foreign governments to promote his agenda abroad. It builds on his sharp turn from traditional US foreign assistance, which supporters say furthered American interests by stabilizing other countries and economies and building alliances.
South Africa, which has lost most of its US funding — including $400 million in annual support — due in part to its disputes with the US, has not signed a health deal, despite having one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates. Nigeria reached a deal but with an emphasis on Christian-based health facilities. Rwanda and Uganda, which each have deportation deals with the US, have announced the health pacts. Cameroon, Eswatini, Lesotho, Liberia and Mozambique also have signed health deals with the US The deals represent a reduction in total US health spending for each country, the center said, with annual US financial support down 49% compared with 2024