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News Wire / politics

African Nations Reject US Health Aid Over Mineral and Data Demands

RFI Monde Accra 13d12d Impact 5

Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana have refused to sign a health agreement proposed by the United States. This partnership is intended for the public health sector but includes requirements for sharing essential disease identification information. Negotiations for co-financing potentially totaling $109 million in the public health sector began in November. This data is used for identifying diseases and developing vaccines and treatments for future pandemics. The information holds market value for medical innovation. Ghana expressed concerns regarding a US health accord that requires partners to share medical innovation data for 25 years, despite co-financing agreements only lasting 5 years. The US has not guaranteed partners access to resulting health innovations. Accra stated a preference for sharing such data through the World Health Organization rather than via bilateral agreements.

Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana have refused to sign a health agreement proposed by the United States. This partnership is intended for the public health sector but includes requirements for sharing essential disease identification information. Negotiations for co-financing potentially totaling $109 million in the public health sector began in November. This data is used for identifying diseases and developing vaccines and treatments for future pandemics. The information holds market value for medical innovation. Ghana expressed concerns regarding a US health accord that requires partners to share medical innovation data for 25 years, despite co-financing agreements only lasting 5 years. The US has not guaranteed partners access to resulting health innovations. Accra stated a preference for sharing such data through the World Health Organization rather than via bilateral agreements. The decision follows discussions aimed at establishing a health-related partnership. No specific reasons for the termination of talks were provided in the report. The impasse was caused by disputes over Washington's request for access to personal medical data, according to the source. Michelle Eskahn, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, will discuss the scrutiny surrounding this US approach to African aid.

Topics

health agreement diplomacy

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Sources · 7 independent

RFI Monde

“la Zambie et le Zimbaboué, c'est autour du Ghana de refuser la signature de l'accord de santé prévu par les États-Unis à plus d'une vingtaine de pays africains.”

RFI Monde

“santé prévoyé par les États-Unis à plus d'une vingtaine de pays africains.”

RFI Monde

“le Ghana fait valoir des inquiétudes concernant le partage de données sensibles avec les États-Unis. La pression était forte pour que le Ghana accepte rapidement le deal sanitaire proposé par les États-Unis”

RFI Afrique

“L'accord stipule notamment que les États-Africains bénéficient de ce partenariat devront partager des données de santé sensibles et des échantillons d'éléments pathogènes avec les Américains”

RFI Monde

“Les négociations avaient débuté en novembre dernier pour un co-financement, ce chiffrant potentiellement à 109 millions de dollars dans le secteur de la santé publique.”

RFI Monde

“América First, a refroidi le Ghana. L'accord stipule notamment que les États-Africains”

RFI Monde

“L'accord stipule notamment que les États-Africains bénéficiant de ce partenariat devront partager des données de santé sensible et des échantillons d'éléments pathogènes avec les américains”

RFI Monde

“the United States is asking its partner to commit to sharing this information over a 25-year period, while the co-financing agreements will only be valid for 5 years, and the Americans are not guaranteeing access to the health innovations that could result.”

RFI Afrique

“Le Ghana a mis fin à des négociations avec les États-Unis en vue d'un accord d'aide dans le domaine de l'Université.”

RFI Monde

“Le Ghana a mis fin à des négociations avec les États-Unis en vue d'un accord d'aide dans le domaine de la santé. C'est l'accès à des données médicales personnelles demandées par Washington qui a posé problème à Accra.”

Times Radio UK

“the US approach to African countries that need aid is under scrutiny because a number of countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana have said no thank you. They've turned down hundreds of millions of dollars in health related aid because the US wants them also to hand over rare earth minerals and hand over pretty sensitive health data.”

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