Latest news with #PEPFAR
Al-Ahram Weekly
15 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Jason Miller outlines Trump's Africa trade vision at Afreximbank meetings - Economy
Speaking before policymakers, financiers, and industry leaders, Miller said Africa's rise hinged on strategic choices. In a conversation with Viswanathan Shankar, CEO of Gateway Partners, he analyzed America's evolving trade posture and its implications for the continent. Miller began by stating that Africa will surpass Europe as the world's third-largest economic bloc by 2050. He added that Nigeria would rank among the top ten global economies. By 2100, sub-Saharan Africa will host four of the world's most populous nations, Miller predicted, positioning the continent as an economic superpower. "This is Africa's century," he declared, "but if these opportunities aren't seized strategically, Africa risks being taken advantage of again." Miller contrasted US engagement with that of other global players. He criticised decades of exploitative practices where outsiders "took, took, took, leaving broken promises." By contrast, America, he argued, aims for strategic partnerships anchored in private capital with no debt traps, military occupations, or hollow rhetoric. The distinction lies in market-driven investments, which demand mutual accountability, unlike what Miller termed "debt diplomacy." Miller outlined non-negotiables for nations seeking a partnership with the US. First, Africa must demand tangible value over empty deals, avoiding unsustainable debt disguised as aid. Partnerships should prioritise foreign direct investment in future-proof infrastructure: roads, ports, data centres, and clean energy. He highlighted Africa's critical minerals and youthful workforce as key factors in dominating the AI supply chain, the impact of which he likened to that of the Industrial Revolution. Second, accelerating business climate reforms is essential. Enforcing contracts, stabilising currencies, and rooting out corruption are not just suggestions but "the price of admission" for attracting trillion-dollar US pension funds and private capital. While praising Nigeria's "gutsy" currency reforms, Miller urged broader, faster action continent-wide. Third, Africa must choose allies wisely. Miller drew sharp contrasts between China's record of "unregulated fishing, environmental disasters, and crippling debt" and the US's contributions such as PEPFAR's HIV/AIDS support, security cooperation against groups like Boko Haram, and conflict mediation in hotspots like the DRC-Rwanda border. True friendship, he stressed, respects sovereignty and borders without exploitation. Furthermore, Miller decoded recent US moves. He explained that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), set to expire in September 2025, faces an uncertain future. "Why renew one-way preferences," he noted, "if African nations impose tariffs on US goods or favour Chinese partners?" His solution: proactive renegotiation focused on reciprocity. Miller defended Trump's signature tariffs as multipurpose tools for protecting strategic industries such as auto manufacturing ("a US national security issue") while forcing fairer trade terms. Meanwhile, he emphasized that the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) emerges as Africa's catalyst, deploying profit-driven investments in projects such as the Lobito Corridor and the Mozambique LNG project. "This is revenue-generating capital, not debt," Miller emphasised, urging reforms to unlock giants like BlackRock and CalPERS. Miller offered advice to African leaders on how to deal with the US. He stressed the importance of preparation before meetings. He also underlined identifying President Trump's priorities before meetings by following his Truth Social Platform. In addition, Miller advised African leaders to engage with specific asks and solutions, and shun "photo-ops." He urged them to emulate Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose investment commitments and peace-building efforts earned early presidential visits. Moreover, he encouraged them to push CEOs and investors, not just bureaucrats, to amplify Africa's economic narrative globally. In conclusion, Miller called for Africa's potential to be translated into provable partnerships through renegotiating AGOA terms for mutual benefit, fast-tracking business reforms to attract private capital, and demanding infrastructure-for-minerals deals to build AI capacity. He also urged African leaders to proactively engage the DFC on bankable projects and, above all, to champion stability, the bedrock of investment. In closing, Shankar revealed that Miller has been appointed Senior Adviser to Gateway Partners to "bring American capital to Africa's future industries." Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
'Your cuts will kill 8 mn more children': Bill Gates warns US government
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has sounded alarm over the United States government's decision to cut funding for global health initiatives. Sharing a post on X, Gates warned that this could lead to the deaths of an additional eight million children by 2040. Citing a Lancet study, he wrote, 'It found that, by 2040, 8 million more children will die before their fifth birthday. To give some context for 8 million: That's how many children live in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio combined.' Gates mentioned: 'When the United States and other governments suddenly cut their aid budgets, I know for a fact that more children will die.' When the United States and other governments suddenly cut their aid budgets, I know for a fact that more children will die. Here's the proof I'm showing Congress. — Bill Gates (@BillGates) June 25, 2025 Global health work spans decades Having spent more than 25 years in the global health space, Gates emphasised how aid has been crucial in saving lives. 'Over the past 25 years — the same span of time I spent leading Microsoft — I have immersed myself in global health... and worked in close partnership with national and local leaders to strengthen the delivery of lifesaving care,' he said. He underscored that aid withdrawals have tangible and tragic consequences: 'Global health aid saves lives. And when that aid is withdrawn — abruptly and without a plan — lives are lost.' Gates added, 'At this point, I know as much about improving health in poor countries as I do about software.' Cuts already impacting health services Gates warned that recent US cuts to global health funding are already affecting critical programs. Efforts to test for tuberculosis, prevent malaria, and distribute essential medicines are slowing down. During recent visits to Nigeria and Ethiopia, he observed how health services are suffering due to funding shortfalls. Despite the bleak outlook, Gates expressed hope. 'It's not too late to change course,' he wrote, urging the US Congress to restore funding for key programmes such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund. Gates slams Musk for USAID shutdown In May this year, Gates harshly criticised Tesla CEO Elon Musk, accusing him of contributing to child deaths in poor countries by supporting budget cuts. 'The picture of the world's richest man killing the world's poorest children is not a pretty one,' Gates told The Financial Times, accusing Musk of acting 'through ignorance'. Musk, the then head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) earlier this year. He had posted on X: 'USAID is a criminal organisation. Time for it to die.' Massive fallout from USAID's closure The abrupt halt in USAID operations has led to life-saving supplies expiring in storage, according to Gates. He warned that diseases like polio, measles, and HIV could see resurgence, potentially reversing decades of global health progress. With the Gates Foundation's annual budget expected to rise to $10 billion in the coming years, Gates acknowledged that private philanthropy cannot match the scale of government aid. 'I think governments will come back to caring about children surviving,' he said.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Your 'action' will kill 8 million kids: Microsoft founder Bill Gates warns US government
Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates has once again raised concerns over the impact of US government cutting funding for global health. Sharing a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), he warned that this could result in an additional 8 million child deaths by 2024. Gates cited a Lancet study on the cumulative impact of reductions in American aid. 'It found that, by 2040, 8 million more children will die before their fifth birthday. To give some context for 8 million: That's how many children live in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio combined,' Gates said. In the post, he writes 'When the United States and other governments suddenly cut their aid budgets, I know for a fact that more children will die.' He said he has worked in the global health space for over 25 years and has seen how important aid is in saving lives. 'Over the past 25 years—the same span of time I spent leading Microsoft—I have immersed myself in global health: building knowledge, deepening expertise, and working to save lives from deadly diseases and preventable causes. During that time, I have built teams of world-class scientists and public health experts at the Gates Foundation , studied health systems across continents, and worked in close partnership with national and local leaders to strengthen the delivery of lifesaving care,' he writes. 'Global health aid saves lives. And when that aid is withdrawn—abruptly and without a plan—lives are lost,' Gates warned. 'At this point, I know as much about improving health in poor countries as I do about software,' he further stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 月 *만원대 "실비보험" 최적가 비교가입! "가성비 굿 맞춤설계+할인혜택"... 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가입하기 Undo 'It's not too late to change course': Bill Gates Bill Gates said that U.S. cuts to global health aid are already causing problems. He pointed out that important programs like tuberculosis testing and malaria prevention are slowing down, and life-saving medicines are getting delayed. Gates recently visited Nigeria and Ethiopia and said he saw for himself how healthcare services there are being affected by the funding cuts. Still, Gates said there is time to fix the situation. 'It's not too late to change course,' he wrote on X. He urged the U.S. Congress to restore funding for major programs such as PEPFAR (the U.S. plan for AIDS relief) and the Global Fund. How to detect hidden cameras in a hotel room, just with your smartphone AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Axios
2 days ago
- Health
- Axios
Global HIV/AIDS effort in rescissions crosshairs
The rescissions package the White House sent Congress on Tuesday calls for deleting $900 million for global health programs — including PEPFAR, which is causing heartburn for some Republicans. Why it matters: Public health experts warn that the cuts would restrict access to lifesaving treatments and hinder U.S. soft diplomacy. The State Department–run HIV/AIDS program is still operating even though it hasn't been officially reauthorized, but it's limited and doesn't cover many HIV prevention efforts. What's inside: The $9.4 billion rescissions package identified $900 million in DOGE-directed cuts to State Department and USAID global health programs for Congress to codify. The document OMB sent to the Hill calls for eliminating $500 million for USAID programs related to child and maternal health, HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases. It states that the proposal "would not reduce treatment but would eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like 'family planning' and 'reproductive health.'" An additional $400 million would be rescinded for controlling HIV/AIDS, which includes PEPFAR. What they're saying: Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins told reporters Tuesday that she wouldn't support a package that cuts PEPFAR. The program "has saved literally millions of lives and has been extremely effective and well-run," Collins said. She referred to it as a legacy program of former President George W. Bush. But House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast told Axios on Tuesday that there was "a lot of pretty specific waste within PEPFAR" and that this rescissions package would make it "a better program." House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole also said that although he was "worried about PEPFAR," he was going to support the rescissions package, adding, "I think most of our members will.… I don't think it will have a hard time passing."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
The Time Is Now for Women and Girls in STEM
Women's health continues to be at risk. This is not news. Women have been excluded and underrepresented in the research and decision-making that shape health care. Their voices, ideas, and leadership are not only overdue, but they are also essential to closing the gaps that continue to put women's lives at risk. Women's health receives less funding for research and treatment than men—at a staggering rate. According to the World Economic Forum, only 1 percent of funding for innovation and research outside of oncology in 2020 went to female-specific conditions. Our concerns are often dismissed by physicians or considered taboo to discuss socially. In a 2022 Kaiser Family Fund Women's Health Survey, 29 percent of women who had seen a health care provider in the prior two years said their doctor had dismissed their concerns, 15 percent said their provider did not believe them, and 13 percent said their provider had suggested they were personally to blame. Photograph of Dr. Karidia Diallo working in a laboratory with an ABI DNA Analyzer machine wearing protective gear, placing samples of DNA with HIV from PEPFAR (countries from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)... Photograph of Dr. Karidia Diallo working in a laboratory with an ABI DNA Analyzer machine wearing protective gear, placing samples of DNA with HIV from PEPFAR (countries from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) persons, in order to test their resistance to medications, in 2007. More Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images But it doesn't have to be that way. Increasingly, women are taking a stand, breaking down societal norms that have been in place for decades and approaching health and wellness in a holistic way. Here's how you can help. Get Loud About the Things That Have Previously Made People Uncomfortable. Women spend more than a third of their lives in some state of menopause (peri- or post-) with symptoms ranging from sleep issues and mood changes to hot flashes and weight gain, and yet only a fraction seek treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, this lack of treatment (stemming from lack of research and awareness), has serious economic implications; the U.S. economy loses approximately $1.8 billion annually due to lost work time related to menopausal symptoms, with total costs, including medical expenses, reaching $26.6 billion. The same is true for women during childbearing years. One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, and 1 in 8 women will need fertility treatment at some point in their lives; yet the topics are rarely discussed. But the tide is changing, and both issues are reaching mainstream conversation due in part to celebrities willing to share their own personal experiences (think: Naomi Watts and her recently released book, or Meghan Markle and her op-ed penned for The New York Times), and companies like Alloy, Joylux, and Maven Clinic. Examine Longevity From a 360 Perspective. We all want to live longer, better—and it's time for us to expand our perceptions of what that means. Longevity is no longer just about annual checkups, treating illness, eating well, exercising, and sleeping enough. It now includes a more holistic view of health. This shift is especially relevant for women who have longer life expectancies than men, and who are—according to research—more open to holistic and alternative treatments. Research continues to show that well-being and self-perception are just as critical to longevity as other factors. Merz Aesthetics' recently released, Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation, reinforces this connection, revealing 74 percent of respondents say confidence is essential to overall well-being. The first-of-its-kind study surveyed 15,000 adults from around the world to establish an industry-first connection between our outward appearance, inner self-concept, and overall well-being. The company is also spearheading regenerative aesthetics in a unique and holistic way by investing in products and devices that work with the body's own capabilities to restore, maintain, and enhance skin health at a cellular level. Other areas of focus are neuroplasticity leading to focus in neurotechnology as we look toward brain health and cognitive enhancement, joint treatments through regenerative technologies like platelet rich plasma therapy, and the overarching concept of biohacking. Living longer with a better quality of life is the ultimate—and attainable—goal. Empower More Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It should go without saying that if we want change, we need to start from within. While we have made progress on the issue—with women now making up half of all medical school students—we still have a long way to go. Women make up only one-third of all practicing physicians, and the pay gap is staggering, with women earning an estimated $2 million less than their male counterparts over a 40-year career. When you consider the statistic that the prognosis for patients seeing a female doctor is far better than those who see male doctor, with both a lower mortality and chance of hospital readmission—it's shocking we haven't already implemented these changes. Support organizations like the American Medical Women's Association or Women in Medicine, advocate for pay transparency, reach out to your policymakers demanding change, and encourage the girls in your life with interest in STEM to pursue careers in the field. We need them now more than ever. Terri L. Phillips, MD, FAAP, has been chief medical affairs officer at Merz Aesthetics for over five years. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
