US Health Aid Tied to Sharing Pathogen Data, Raising Concerns Over Global Equity

According to a draft document seen by Reuters, the Trump administration in the United States has introduced new conditions for countries receiving American health assistance. These conditions require recipient nations to share pathogen data that could potentially cause epidemics as a prerequisite for obtaining aid.

The U.S. Department of State's document stipulates that countries must share pathogen samples and genomic sequencing data with the United States within five days of an outbreak. However, it does not guarantee that any resulting medicines or vaccines developed from this data will be made available to the affected country.

Public health experts have raised concerns that such bilateral agreements may bypass the World Health Organization (WHO). They warn that this imbalance could exacerbate inequalities observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks, where poorer nations often first identify threats but struggle to access tools to combat diseases.

This approach could also undermine negotiations led by WHO to ensure low-income countries are not excluded from benefits. Countries are nearing completion of a more equitable global pandemic treaty draft.

The U.S. Department of State's document is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed by both the U.S. and recipient countries, outlining objectives such as combating HIV/AIDS, reducing maternal mortality, and increasing measles vaccination rates. While the assistance period covered by the MOU extends until 2030, the pathogen-sharing agreement will last for 25 years.

This shift in U.S. foreign aid policy reflects President Trump's 'America First' approach. The new global health strategy, released in September this year, aims to encourage recipient countries to become self-reliant and swiftly enter into bilateral agreements with the U.S.

When asked about the document, a senior U.S. State Department official emphasized America's commitment to transparency and accountability in its global health strategy but provided no further details. A source close to one recipient country's negotiations confirmed that discussions regarding the document are ongoing.

The Ghanaian Health Ministry acknowledged receipt of the U.S. global health terms on social media platform X on Thursday, November 6th, though no additional details were disclosed.