Health boss: Africa must take charge of its health security in wake of foreign aid cuts

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya has warned that the continent must urgently take control of its health security as international funding becomes increasingly uncertain. 

His message echoes a growing call from African leaders, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who in a recent public address advocated for self-sufficiency in Africa’s health sector amid growing concerns that foreign aid reductions, including a recent 90-day pause in US funding, could weaken the continent’s ability to respond to health emergencies.

Dr Kaseya revealed that upon learning of the funding suspension, Africa CDC swiftly engaged the new US administration and advocated for a waiver to allow critical humanitarian assistance to continue. As a result, a waiver was granted to ensure critical interventions continue, including HIV medications.

“However, this is only one battle. This is a wake-up call for Africa to take charge of its health security by accelerating innovative financing mechanisms and increasing domestic investment in public health,” Dr Kaseya said in a letter addressed to the leadership of the African Union.
Data from the Africa CDC reveals a surge in health emergencies across the continent. The number of disease outbreaks has increased from 153 in 2022-2023 to 242 in 2024.  

In a direct appeal to African Heads of State, Dr Kaseya has warned that without urgent intervention, the continent could see up to four million additional deaths per year from preventable diseases and more than 39 million people being pushed into poverty. 

"This is not just an African crisis—it is a global crisis in the making, " he cautioned, urging immediate action from African leaders to safeguard the continent’s health security.

The conditions in Africa, the public health agency chief said, could lead to the emergence of the next global pandemic. With ongoing conflicts, mass displacement and weak healthcare infrastructure, the risk of highly infectious diseases spreading uncontrollably has never been higher.

Dr Kaseya highlighted one of the biggest threats: the worsening situation in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where extreme overcrowding and insecurity have created the perfect conditions for deadly disease outbreaks. 

"Goma has become the epicentre, spreading Mpox across 21 African countries, including Southern African Development Community and East African Community states. This strain has already claimed thousands of lives, particularly among children and young people," he stated.

The outbreak is not limited to Mpox. Cholera, measles, and other infectious diseases have also taken hold in the region, fueled by a lack of sanitation, clean water and access to medical care.

Dr Kaseya made a direct appeal for peace in eastern DRC, arguing that the war is not only a security issue but a full-scale public health disaster. He stressed that without stability, any health interventions would be futile.

"Africa CDC has worked tirelessly to secure Mpox vaccines and other essential health commodities for Goma and eastern DRC. However, without peace and security, these supplies cannot reach the children and mothers who need them most. I am prepared to personally fly to Goma and oversee the delivery of these life-saving interventions—but security is essential," he said.

The situation in Goma has already drawn comparisons to past health crises, where instability led to major outbreaks. Dr Kaseya pointed to lessons from Covid-19, warning that failure to contain diseases in conflict zones could have devastating consequences for the entire continent.

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