As African nations grapple with the impact of funding cuts by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), key stakeholders are meeting in Rwanda to chart new paths for financing healthcare. The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC), convened by Amref Health Africa, the Rwanda Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization Africa (WHO AFRO), and the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), aims to rethink how the continent can secure sustainable funding for health programs.
USAID’s funding cuts have left many African health systems vulnerable, particularly in areas such as disease prevention, maternal and child health, and emergency response. Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the conference, WHO Acting Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working alongside African governments to bridge funding gaps.
“Seventy-five years ago, countries around the world came together to say, listen, there are issues that we cannot deal with on our own, and we need a global platform to organize ourselves to deal with those things that we cannot manage alone,” Dr. Ihekweazu said. “Seventy-five years later, that instinct hasn’t changed. Because any country changes with leadership, the instinct is the challenges are still there, the need for us to collaborate is still there, and I think we will find a way to navigate this.”
Health leaders at the conference acknowledged the uncertainty caused by the funding cuts but remained optimistic that African governments could absorb the shocks through collective efforts. Dr. Githinji Gitahi, the Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, urged governments to shift their focus from donor funding promises to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.
The discussions at AHAIC are expected to generate actionable strategies to mobilize domestic resources, strengthen public-private partnerships, and enhance efficiency in healthcare financing. By fostering regional collaboration and leveraging innovative financing models, African nations aim to build resilient health systems that are less dependent on external aid.
With the challenges ahead, the commitment to securing sustainable health funding remains a top priority for African governments and health partners. The outcome of this conference could shape the future of healthcare financing across the continent, ensuring that vital health services remain accessible to those who need them most.
