US Aid Cuts Threaten African Health Systems
Newly available data reveals the significant dependence of African healthcare on aid from the United States. Public health across the continent could suffer severe consequences as a result of abrupt funding reductions.
US Role in Global Health
The United States, particularly through the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project, has played a pivotal role in bolstering global health supply chains. In 2024, the project supported 73 countries with $1.15 billion in donated health commodities and technical assistance.
Most of this funding was allocated to combatting HIV (71.1%), malaria (20.3%), and supporting family planning (7%) and maternal, neonatal, and child health (1.5%). In nine countries, this assistance represented over 10% of total government health spending, a level difficult to offset with internal resources.
Impact of Aid Freeze
**Trump’s** freeze on $72 billion in U.S. foreign aid led to the suspension of numerous development projects, affecting nearly 10,000 USAID personnel in over 200 countries. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, U.S. foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of the federal budget, but has an outsized impact on recipient nations (CFR 2023).
The administration terminated 5,341 projects, valued at $75 billion, and sharply reduced USAID staffing, signaling a major shift in America’s global development approach.
Nations at Greatest Risk
Countries such as Somalia, South Sudan, and Malawi are particularly vulnerable, with U.S. health aid constituting 237%, 235%, and 207% of their government health spending, respectively, reports Business Daily Africa.
In over 20 African nations, U.S. aid forms a crucial part of national health budgets. For countries like Uganda, Liberia, and Mozambique, it accounts for over 80% of health spending, supporting key services like HIV/AIDS treatment, immunizations, and maternal care.
Risk of Setbacks
These actions threaten to undo years of progress in disease control, maternal health, and emergency preparedness in Africa, potentially exposing millions to greater health risks. Fragile states like Somalia and South Sudan, where local systems cannot easily adapt, face particularly severe consequences.
Without U.S. aid, these countries may experience a collapse in healthcare delivery and a rise in preventable diseases. While experts caution that reduced U.S. support could weaken disease surveillance and emergency response, increasing the risk of regional outbreaks with global implications, African leaders are urged to rethink their health funding strategies.
