The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised concerns over the devastating impact of U.S. aid cuts on the continent’s ability to combat disease outbreaks.
Director-General Jean Kaseya announced that African health ministers will convene on Friday to discuss global health financing and explore sustainable funding alternatives to fill the growing gap.
Describing the situation as a “new era” in health financing, Kaseya highlighted how the aid cuts have disrupted critical programs tackling diseases such as malaria and AIDS, leaving health systems across Africa in turmoil.
The loss of funding stems largely from the U.S. decision to terminate foreign aid contracts and slash $60 billion in assistance, a move that has significantly affected the regional health body and impacted health initiatives.
Many of the hardest-hit programs operate in fragile states heavily dependent on U.S. aid for health services, nutrition support, and efforts to prevent starvation.
Source: WAVN