Healthcare in danger after US aid withdrawal

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Accra Reset report reveals that a nearly 70% decline in U.S. and external funding has intensified challenges in Africa’s healthcare systems, which produce less than 1% of vaccines despite bearing a quarter of the global infectious disease burden. The study calls for increased local ownership, investment, and vaccine manufacturing capacity to build resilient health infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

The withdrawal of United States funding from critical aid programs has placed healthcare systems in Africa and other parts of the global south under increasing pressure, according to a recent report. The reduction in support from initiatives such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has amplified the urgency to reform health sectors across these regions.

The report, titled *A Sovereign Future for Health*, was published by the Accra Reset, a global health initiative spearheaded by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama. It highlights the disparity between Africa’s disease burden and its capacity to produce vaccines, noting that the continent manufactures less than 1% of its vaccines despite bearing 25% of the world’s infectious disease load.

Between 2021 and 2025, external financing for healthcare in Africa declined by nearly 70%, the report reveals. This sharp drop has exacerbated existing challenges in building sustainable healthcare infrastructure, creating an urgent need for locally-driven strategies and innovations.

The Accra Reset initiative emphasizes the importance of increasing African nations’ ownership of health systems. It advocates for a shift from heavy reliance on external aid towards greater domestic investment and improved governance to achieve long-term resilience in health services.

The report’s findings reflect growing concern over the impact of reduced international funding following policy changes initiated during the Trump administration. While reforms in aid allocation have been presented as efforts to promote efficiency and accountability, critics argue that abrupt funding cuts risk undermining critical health interventions in vulnerable regions.

As African countries grapple with these challenges, the report calls for renewed collaboration between governments, multilateral organizations, and private sector stakeholders. Its authors underscore that strengthening local vaccine manufacturing capabilities and health workforce development are essential steps to mitigating the effects of diminished external aid.

Overall, the report serves as a call to action for policymakers and international partners to reconsider their roles in supporting health systems in Africa and the global south, stressing that sustainable progress requires empowering local actors to drive their own healthcare futures.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.