logo
USAID cuts rip through African health care systems

USAID cuts rip through African health care systems

Yahoo15-04-2025
As clouds gather and humidity rises across west Africa, whose annual rains bring an uptick of deadly, malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Musa Adamu Ibrahim, a nurse, is sitting at home, unemployed.
In Nigeria -- home to 30 percent of the world's annual 600,000 malaria deaths -- clinics that once served 300 people a day in the conflict-hit Borno state have abruptly shut down, Ibrahim and other laid-off workers told AFP, following the withdrawal of American funding by President Donald Trump.
"The clinics have been closed and (there are) no more free drugs or mosquito nets," said Ibrahim.
The sudden dismantling of USAID -- the country's main foreign development arm -- is unravelling health care systems across Africa that were built from a complicated web of national health ministries, the private sector, nonprofits and foreign aid.
As the effects of the cuts compound, the resulting damage -- and deaths -- are unlikely to end anytime soon: malaria cases will peak around the end of the rainy season, while threatened American cuts to global vaccine funding would likely be felt later in the year.
In the meantime, the ripple effects continue to spread: alongside laid-off workers, malnutrition clinics have shuttered doors in Nigeria.
Rattled supply chains mean drugs are at risk of being stuck in warehouses in Mali. Children are walking miles to reach care in South Sudan for cholera care and dying along the way, and refugee camps in Kenya are facing medicine shortages.
"People with resources will be able to go and get drugs... but the poorest of the poor, out in remote areas of Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, they're the ones who will be cut off," said Lawrence Barat, a former senior technical advisor for the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI).
"They're the ones whose children will die."
- Malaria forecasts upended -
During malaria's seasonal peak, Ibrahim once saw clinics he worked at treat 300 patients a week. Fatima Kunduli, another laid-off aid worker in Borno, said her clinic was seeing 60 children per day for malnutrition and malaria care before it shut down.
As downpours progressively cascade across west Africa -- Nigeria's have just started, while Senegal's rains won't arrive until May -- countries that have made in some cases significant progress in stamping out malaria in recent decades will now be doing so without a major financial backer.
Forecasts developed by ministries of health across the continent to plan for the rainy season have deep holes blown in them, said Saschveen Singh, an infectious disease specialist with Doctors Without Borders in France.
The complex mix of funding sources in each nation -- from local governments to internationalnonprofits -- means US programmes worked differently in every country.
In Mali, seasonal malaria chemoprevention drugs given to young children won't have an issue coming into the country -- but American funds were crucial for coordinating their distribution, Singh told AFP.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the USAID-supported PMI was the primary malaria drug and test provider to government health facilities in nine provinces.
"Suddenly, they'll just not have drugs, and it's going to be very difficult for other actors to step in," said Singh, adding her co-workers are "scrambling" to map out where gaps may arise.
- Cholera treatment scaled back -
In South Sudan, USAID-funded clinics have closed amid a cholera outbreak. Children are walking hours to the next closest treatment centre, with at least five dying along the way in the country's eastern Jonglei state, British charity Save the Children reported earlier this month.
In neighbouring Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, which hosts more than 300,000 people, protests broke out in March when it was announced rations would be lowered, and doctors are running out of medicine.
"All the clinics around, you can get paracetamol. But all other drugs, no," one camp elder, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP during a recent visit.
At Kinkole General Hospital, in Kinshasa, doctors were recently treating 23 mpox patients isolated in tents free of charge thanks to American support. But workers have no idea if that funding will continue, despite an outbreak that has infected 16,000 and killed 1,600.
"We're thinking a disaster is coming," said Yvonne Walo, an epidemiologist at the centre.
- Potential vaccine funding gap -
The hits to health care systems are set to keep coming.
Washington is reportedly considering pulling back its funding to Gavi, the organisation that procures vaccinations for the world's poorest countries.
Cuts would be almost guaranteed, with Gavi chief executive Sania Nishtar telling AFP that "this is too big a hole to be filled."
If confirmed, John Johnson, a vaccination and epidemic response advisor with Doctors Without Borders, expects programmes to start coming under strain later this year.
In Borno, whose governor recently warned of a resurgence of the Boko Haram jihadist group, Kunduli, the laid-off aid worker, said even with US funding the work was "overwhelming."
Now, "I could only imagine."
su-nro/sn/cw
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I just visited a Costco in Japan—the variety of foods was 'incredible': 6 things I wish they sold in the American stores
I just visited a Costco in Japan—the variety of foods was 'incredible': 6 things I wish they sold in the American stores

CNBC

time3 hours ago

  • CNBC

I just visited a Costco in Japan—the variety of foods was 'incredible': 6 things I wish they sold in the American stores

As a Japanese nutritionist living in the U.S., I love shopping for traditional foods that I grew up eating, such as seaweed, beans, matcha, multigrain rice, and sweet potatoes. I sometimes go to Costco to buy those staples in bulk. But during a recent trip to Japan, I had the chance to shop at the Costco Yawata Warehouse in Kyoto, which you can visit using your U.S. membership card. I was curious to see how it compared to the American stores, and I ended up being very surprised. While the layout and many of the products were similar to the U.S. stores, the variety of Japanese foods was incredible. There were regional items, seasonally sourced ingredients, and healthier snacks that I rarely find back home. It was fun to browse through the foods and brands that were exclusive to stores in Japan. Here are six things I wish U.S. Costco stores carried more of. Seaweed is a staple in Japan. It's packed with minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols, making it one of the most nutrient-dense, plant-based foods you can eat. I found a wide selection, including: Other varieties included kombu, hijiki, aonori, and kanten — all of which I like to keep in my pantry. Tofu is one of my favorite foods. It's a great source of plant-based protein and is very versatile across cuisines. You can eat it plain or throw it in soups or salads. Even my dogs enjoy it! Japanese Costcos sell an amazing variety of soy-based items, many of which are vacuum-sealed for freshness and shelf-life. Options included: One of my go-to recipes involves soaking koya tofu, cutting it into cubes, then simmering with kombu, dried shittake mushrooms, carrots, peas, and ginger. I finish it with homemade miso paste for a satisfying, balanced dish. I always encourage my clients to incorporate a wide range of vegetables, roots, and herbs into every meal. Greater plant variety means more fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients for a long life. I was excited to see all kinds of produce that are a little harder to find in American supermarkets: Even the potatoes from Hokkaido, known for their high quality, were available in bulk. I love to cook, but sometimes life gets busy and I need fast, healthy options for myself and my clients. Costco Japan offered a smart range of ready-to-eat items, including (my favorite) microwavable multigrain rice bowls, pickled vegetables, instant miso soups in both powdered and paste form (just add hot water and throw in some seaweed and tofu), Japanese-style cooked fish, and many unique condiments. Of course, you can find some of these items in American stores, like Whole Foods, but they're often pricier. Rice crackers (soy-flavored rice crisps) are one of my favorite snacks. At Costco Japan, I saw kakino-tane, crescent-shaped crackers often mixed with peanuts. Other rice crackers were made with sesame seeds, seaweed, soy powder, nuts, and even some herbs. In Japan, green tea is more than just a beverage — it's a daily ritual. You'll find it in vending machines, restaurants, and pretty much in every home. At Costco Japan, I saw bottled green teas, tea bags and loose-leaf options, and powdered teas in family-sized packages. Almost every shopper had a green tea product in their cart. Green tea has been associated with better heart health and longer life in many studies. I always recommend swapping it in place of soda for a low-calorie, antioxidant-rich alternative.

RFK Jr. is waging a war against ultra-processed foods. Will almond milk be canceled?
RFK Jr. is waging a war against ultra-processed foods. Will almond milk be canceled?

USA Today

time4 hours ago

  • USA Today

RFK Jr. is waging a war against ultra-processed foods. Will almond milk be canceled?

Ultra-processed foods are undergoing increased scrutiny as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his supporters blame these often tasty snacks for contributing to chronic diseases in the U.S. But what is ultra-processed food? There still isn't a universal definition. While many ice creams, chips and sodas are considered ultra-processed, there's also a wide array of other foods that can be included in a healthy diet that fall into the same category, such as tofu, some canned fruits and vegetables, protein bars, cereals and nut milks. 'These are all quite processed and some of them can be classified as ultra-processed foods but because of their nutrient profiles, they might be better for us and not associated with the worst health outcomes,' said Michele Polacsek, professor of public health at the University of New England and an expert on promoting healthy food choices. Does that mean these foods will be targeted, too? Probably not, said Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert and emeritus professor at New York University. 'That would be impossible because of the way that Americans eat,' she said, as research shows over 70% of American calories come from ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are foods that have been made by food companies using manufactured ingredients, rather than actual foods. If you've ever taken a look at some food labels, you may not recognize many of the ingredients listed. These are likely ultra-processed ingredients that are used to make food "taste better, look better and last longer on the shelf," Nestle said. Research has shown UPFs replace healthier foods and encourage people to eat more calories, Nestle said. Ultra-processed foods have been linked to about 30 health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and mental health disorders, according to a 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal. In May, Kennedy and his 'Make America Healthy Again' commission targeted ultra-processed foods in a 69-page report. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the administration is seeking information and data to help develop an official definition for ultra-processed foods, according to a July 23 statement. While it's a good first step, Polacsek said not all UPFs are the same and there isn't enough data to determine which ingredients or processes in packaged foods lead to negative health outcomes. 'We don't have all the evidence we need,' she said. 'We need a lot more research on this.' It would be a mistake to create policy based on the data available on ultra-processed foods, Polacsek said. But if the administration makes policy decisions based on a universal definition, she hopes agencies will also allocate funding to research how it's impacting public health and the food industry. Is Chick-fil-A healthy? Fast-food chain named one of the least nutritious in America In the meantime, Nestle recommends minimizing the amount of ultra-processed foods you eat but also reminds consumers that some contain nutrients that can be incorporated into a healthy diet. In a 2023 study, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture led a study that showed how it was possible to build a healthy diet with 91% of the calories coming from ultra-processed foods. However, study authors noted the diet was particularly high in sodium and didn't contain enough whole grains. 'The basic principle of healthy eating is variety,' Nestle said. 'If you eat a lot of different kinds of food, and most of them are minimally processed, you're doing fine.' 'Food is one of life's greatest pleasures, it's really important to enjoy what you eat.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@

French left urges Macron to act over US plan to destroy contraceptives
French left urges Macron to act over US plan to destroy contraceptives

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

French left urges Macron to act over US plan to destroy contraceptives

France's left-wing politicians on Saturday called on President Emmanuel Macron to intervene over US plans to destroy nearly $10 million worth of female contraceptives in Europe, calling it an "affront" to public health. A State Department spokesperson told AFP this week that "a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain" birth control products from "terminated Biden-era USAID contracts." The US Agency for International Development, the country's foreign aid arm, was dismantled by Donald Trump's administration when he returned to office in January, replacing former president Joe Biden. Under the plan, some $9.7 million worth of implant and IUD contraceptives stored in Belgium are reportedly set to be incinerated in France. An open letter signed by French Green leader Marine Tondelier and several female lawmakers called the US decision "an affront to the fundamental principles of solidarity, public health and sexual and reproductive rights that France is committed to defending." In the letter, they urged the French president "not to be complicit, even indirectly, in retrograde policies," saying women's contraception products such as IUDs and implants were intended for "low- and middle-income countries." "Cutting aid for contraception is shameful, destroying products that have already been manufactured and financed is even more mind-boggling," Tondelier told AFP. The Greens urged Macron to request the suspension of the plan "as part of a joint initiative with the European Commission." They also called on him to back humanitarian organisations that say they are ready to redistribute the contraception products. Separately, Mathilde Panot, parliamentary leader of the hard left France Unbowed (LFI) party, also urged Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to take action. "You have a responsibility to act to prevent this destruction, which will cost lives," she said on X. "These resources are vital, particularly for the 218 million women who do not have access to contraceptive care." The US plan has sparked outrage from global health NGOs, with Doctors Without Borders denouncing the "callous waste." "It is unconscionable to think of these health products being burned when the demand for them globally is so great," said Rachel Milkovich of the medical charity's US office. The State Department spokesperson said the destruction will cost $167,000 and "no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed." Doctors Without Borders says that other organisations have offered to cover the shipping and distribution costs of the supplies, but the US government declined to sign off. US lawmakers have approved slashing some $9 billion in aid primarily destined for foreign countries. sde-ama-as/ach

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store