US signs health agreement with Eswatini
By Katharine Jackson
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) – The United States and Eswatini signed a five-year health cooperation agreement on Friday, the U.S. State Department said, as the Trump administration pursues a global health plan to provide aid while demanding the country receive investment.
The $242 million memorandum of understanding between the countries states that the United States plans to provide up to $205 million for investments in health data collection, disease monitoring and response, and HIV prevention and treatment; Eswatini will also increase its domestic health spending by $37 million over the five-year period, the ministry said.
The deal also includes the delivery of lenacapavir, a US-made HIV prevention drug, to the African country.
“The signing underscores a mutual commitment to preserving health gains and protecting American and Eswatini citizens alike, while placing Eswatini on a clear path to achieve the long-term goal of an effective, sustainable and efficient health care system,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement. he said.
Last month, the United States signed health cooperation agreements with Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Lesotho. Similar bilateral health agreements are expected to be struck with dozens of other countries that receive U.S. health assistance in the coming weeks, the department said.
In September, the Trump administration unveiled the “America First Global Health Strategy,” a new approach to overseas aid aimed at boosting target countries’ self-confidence in managing their health sectors.
In a separate deal announced in November, Eswatini received $5.1 million from the United States to accept third-country nationals deported by the Trump administration.
(Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
