Four months after USAID cut more than 80% of its global health funding, many countries are now strategizing how to improve independency from international aid. Several African countries are ramping up domestic investment and developing infrastructure for health products. Health industry in Africa is weak. By comparison, Africa, is home for 1.5 billion people, has only 500 health production sites. India, with 1.4 billion people, has around 10,000 sites, and China has about 5,000 sites for a similar population. This disparity makes Africa particularly vulnerable to pandemics and shifts in global supply chains from international aid. As a result, more African countries are prioritizing national industry, science, and health strategies. Regional partnerships are developing, investment in Africa is increasing, technology transfer is accelerating, and health companies are building capacity.
A new analysis shows the impact of the USAID cutoff on global health supply chain programs for HIV, malaria, family planning and maternal, neonatal, and child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The analysis recomends that coutries and other donor should respond to mitigates the risk.