By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Three weeks ago the United States announced a new America First Global Health Strategy, in which Washington DC reaffirmed that the country would still like to remain a major player in global health and help combat HIV, malaria and Tuberculosis as well as invest in pandemic preparation.
The purpose of the Global health strategy formulated by America is an effort to keep the country safe, stronger and prosperous. There is an emphasis on saving the lives of people around the world especially in underdeveloped countries, but economically it serves the interests of America and enhances national security.
Africa has been highlighted as a central figure of the Global Health strategy as the continent is regarded as presenting risks of outbreaks, especially considering the ever growing population of the continent and also presents a wealth in critical minerals.
Africa is regarded as a “theatre of competition” with China as there is an emphasis that there is a tendency for Africa to be heavily dependent on external investments.
The global health strategy will also aim to reset relationships with countries around the world particularly in Africa in order to transition from multilateral funding flows to bilateral agreements which will be tied to data sharing, confinance requirements and performance benchmarks.
Despite the amount of lives that could greatly benefit from this strategy, there is also a perspective of this strategy being politically motivated.
The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has saved a total of 26 million lives since its inception in 2003. PEPFAR has been heavily embraced by African leaders especially pertaining to combatting HIV, malaria, TB and other outbreak responses.
However, there has been criticisms that aid has been insufficient, as well as overheads being too high, and Non Profit Organizations (NGOs) perpetuating independence.
This current strategy will aim to inefficiency, enforce investment from the government and accelerate transition to local ownership.
“The framing is problematic. It implies that inefficiency and dependency are primarily African failures, when in reality they are the product of donor driven parallel systems” according to an article by global health in regards to the intentions of the global health strategy.