A new report warns that the US withdrawal from key aid programs, including USAID, has left healthcare in Africa and the Global South under growing strain, prompting calls for greater regional self-reliance.
Key facts
- A report by Accra Reset warns healthcare in Africa and the Global South is 'under growing strain' following US aid withdrawal.
- The report cites the Trump administration's cuts to programs such as USAID as a key factor.
- It also points to the Covid-19 pandemic and rising global living costs as adding urgency.
- The report calls for countries in the region and Global South to take greater control of their health development.
Healthcare in Africa and the wider Global South has been placed ‘under growing strain’ following the United States’ withdrawal from key aid programs, according to a new report covered by the Guardian.
The report, produced by Accra Reset, states that countries in the region and across the Global South should take greater control of their own health development in the wake of what it describes as the USAID debacle.
Among the factors cited, the report points to the Trump administration’s cuts to programs such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It argues these cuts have contributed to increased pressure on healthcare systems in the region.
The report also identifies the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living globally as additional pressures. Together, according to the report, these developments have brought ‘new urgency’ to the need for healthcare reform in the region.
The central recommendation, as reported, is a shift toward greater regional and Global South ownership of health development, reducing reliance on external aid programs that can be subject to sudden policy changes.
Why it matters
Aid programs such as USAID have long supported healthcare services across Africa and the Global South, and sudden reductions can affect access to essential care for millions. The report's call for greater regional control highlights a broader debate about the sustainability and reliability of foreign aid in global health.
Frequently asked questions
Who produced the report on healthcare strain in Africa?
The report was produced by Accra Reset, according to the Guardian.
What factors does the report blame for the strain on healthcare?
The report cites the Trump administration's cuts to programs such as USAID, along with the Covid-19 pandemic and rising global living costs.
What does the report recommend?
It recommends that countries in the region and the Global South take greater control of their own health development following the US aid withdrawal.