Health and Me

Ishita Roy

US Signs 24 Health MoUs Under ‘America First’ Strategy, More Details Inside

The United States has signed 24 bilateral health <span>Memoranda of Understanding</span> or <span>MoUs</span> with Latin America and African countries under the Trump administration's America First Global Health Strategy. 

The first agreement with Panama is described as “strengthening Western hemisphere health security”, which it added is “a priority”. Thereafter, four Latin American agreements too involve smaller grants and focus on disease surveillance. Other 20 agreements all with African countries who have been previous recipients of health grants via the now disbanded US agency for International Development or USAID and decimated US President's Emergency Funds for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). 

The five-year MoUs aim to quickly shift financial responsibility for key health services to national governments. In several countries, including Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), more than half of HIV programme funding has traditionally come from donors, particularly the United States. In the DRC, for instance, at least half of the antiretroviral medicines used have been financed by the US.

The transitional Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the United States and several countries come with a major condition. They require strong investment in infectious disease surveillance systems.

The goal is to ensure that pathogen information from outbreaks is shared with the US within a week. Officials say this helps detect global threats early and protect public health.

At the same time, it gives US pharmaceutical companies early access to pathogen data, allowing them to develop vaccines, medicines and diagnostics more quickly.

The United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed their health MoU on 26 February. According to the US State Department, the agreement focuses on strengthening the country’s ability to detect and contain infectious disease outbreaks before they spread internationally.

<ul><li>The focus reflects the country’s recent health challenges.</li><li>The DRC has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in recent years.</li><li>It is also dealing with the world’s largest mpox outbreak.</li></ul>

<ul><li>The US will invest up to $900 million over five years</li><li>The DRC will increase its health spending by $300 million</li></ul>

Most of the funding will support a national integrated surveillance and outbreak response system.

<ul><li>A laboratory network capable of detecting outbreaks within seven days</li><li>Faster outbreak investigations and response systems</li><li>Coordination between the US and other global health partners</li></ul>

The MoU also aims to modernize health data systems through electronic medical records, interoperable platforms, better trained community health workers and expanded services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and maternal and child health.

In several cases, health agreements were preceded by deals related to natural resources.

The United States and the DRC first signed a strategic partnership on critical minerals. The deal aims to secure supplies of minerals needed for commercial and defense industries.

The DRC is one of the world’s largest sources of rare earth minerals, including cobalt and copper. China has historically dominated the purchasing and processing of these resources.

Recently, the DRC has begun opening its mineral sector to US investors. According to Reuters, the government sent Washington a shortlist of state owned assets involving:

<ul><li>manganese</li><li>copper</li><li>cobalt</li><li>gold</li><li>lithium</li></ul>

Guinea followed a similar path. It signed a minerals MoU with the US on 5 February, followed by a health MoU on 27 February. The health agreement prioritizes strengthening laboratory networks and improving biosafety standards by 2027.

<h2>Legal Pushback and Rejected Deals</h2>

Not all countries are comfortable linking health support to access to resources or data.

In the DRC, a group of lawyers has challenged the minerals agreement in the Constitutional Court. They argue that the deal violates the constitution and undermines national sovereignty over natural resources.

Zimbabwe also withdrew from negotiations with the US over a similar agreement.

Officials said the country was asked to share biological resources and outbreak data for years without any guarantee that vaccines, treatments or diagnostics developed from that data would be available to Zimbabwe if a future crisis occurred. They also said the US did not offer reciprocal sharing of its own epidemiological data.

Kenya’s agreement with the United States has also faced legal hurdles. The country’s High Court halted the MoU after two court challenges questioned provisions that could allow the US access to patient data and pathogen information.

Zambia has also expressed reservations about its proposed health deal with Washington. The agreement stalled after the US linked the billion dollar package to cooperation in the country’s mining sector, particularly copper and cobalt.

Zambia has since asked for revisions, saying parts of the deal do not align with its national interests.

<h2>Critics Call the Policy “Extractive”</h2>

Some experts argue that these agreements reflect a broader shift in US global health policy.

Sophie Harman, professor of international politics at Queen Mary University of London, wrote in the BMJ that extraction appears to be central to the approach.

According to her analysis, the policy focuses less on improving global health outcomes and more on strengthening US economic and geopolitical interests, including competition with China.

She warns that countries entering such agreements could risk giving up resources or scientific data while gaining relatively limited health benefits.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

memoranda of understanding

us health news

24 MOU by United States

MoUs

health and wellness

health news

health news united states

Digital Health and Telemedicine: Expanding Access to Rare Disease Care

When Symptoms Don’t Add Up: How Hidden Genetic Conditions Go Undetected for Years

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The United States has signed 24 bilateral health Memoranda of Understanding or MoUs with Latin America and African countries under the Trump administration's America First Global Health Strategy. The first agreement with Panama is described as “strengthening Western hemisphere health security”, which it added is “a priority”. Thereafter, four Latin American agreements too involve smaller grants and focus on disease surveillance. Other 20 agreements all with African countries who have been previous recipients of health grants via the now disbanded US agency for International Development or USAID and decimated US President's Emergency Funds for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The five-year MoUs aim to quickly shift financial responsibility for key health services to national governments. In several countries, including Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), more than half of HIV programme funding has traditionally come from donors, particularly the United States. In the DRC, for instance, at least half of the antiretroviral medicines used have been financed by the US.What Do These MoUs Comprise?The transitional Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the United States and several countries come with a major condition. They require strong investment in infectious disease surveillance systems.The goal is to ensure that pathogen information from outbreaks is shared with the US within a week. Officials say this helps detect global threats early and protect public health.At the same time, it gives US pharmaceutical companies early access to pathogen data, allowing them to develop vaccines, medicines and diagnostics more quickly.The US–DRC Health AgreementThe United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed their health MoU on 26 February. According to the US State Department, the agreement focuses on strengthening the country’s ability to detect and contain infectious disease outbreaks before they spread internationally.The focus reflects the country’s recent health challenges.The DRC has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in recent years.It is also dealing with the world’s largest mpox outbreak.Funding CommitmentsUnder the agreement:The US will invest up to $900 million over five yearsThe DRC will increase its health spending by $300 millionMost of the funding will support a national integrated surveillance and outbreak response system.This includes:A laboratory network capable of detecting outbreaks within seven daysFaster outbreak investigations and response systemsCoordination between the US and other global health partnersThe MoU also aims to modernize health data systems through electronic medical records, interoperable platforms, better trained community health workers and expanded services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and maternal and child health.Minerals Before HealthIn several cases, health agreements were preceded by deals related to natural resources.The United States and the DRC first signed a strategic partnership on critical minerals. The deal aims to secure supplies of minerals needed for commercial and defense industries.The DRC is one of the world’s largest sources of rare earth minerals, including cobalt and copper. China has historically dominated the purchasing and processing of these resources.Recently, the DRC has begun opening its mineral sector to US investors. According to Reuters, the government sent Washington a shortlist of state owned assets involving:manganesecoppercobaltgoldlithiumGuinea followed a similar path. It signed a minerals MoU with the US on 5 February, followed by a health MoU on 27 February. The health agreement prioritizes strengthening laboratory networks and improving biosafety standards by 2027.Legal Pushback and Rejected DealsNot all countries are comfortable linking health support to access to resources or data.In the DRC, a group of lawyers has challenged the minerals agreement in the Constitutional Court. They argue that the deal violates the constitution and undermines national sovereignty over natural resources.Zimbabwe also withdrew from negotiations with the US over a similar agreement.Officials said the country was asked to share biological resources and outbreak data for years without any guarantee that vaccines, treatments or diagnostics developed from that data would be available to Zimbabwe if a future crisis occurred. They also said the US did not offer reciprocal sharing of its own epidemiological data.Concerns in Kenya and ZambiaKenya’s agreement with the United States has also faced legal hurdles. The country’s High Court halted the MoU after two court challenges questioned provisions that could allow the US access to patient data and pathogen information.Zambia has also expressed reservations about its proposed health deal with Washington. The agreement stalled after the US linked the billion dollar package to cooperation in the country’s mining sector, particularly copper and cobalt.Zambia has since asked for revisions, saying parts of the deal do not align with its national interests.Critics Call the Policy “Extractive”Some experts argue that these agreements reflect a broader shift in US global health policy.Sophie Harman, professor of international politics at Queen Mary University of London, wrote in the BMJ that extraction appears to be central to the approach.According to her analysis, the policy focuses less on improving global health outcomes and more on strengthening US economic and geopolitical interests, including competition with China.She warns that countries entering such agreements could risk giving up resources or scientific data while gaining relatively limited health benefits.