SAA President Calls for a Regional Strategy to Address the Foreign Aid Crisis
The President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), Hon. Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, has called on all stakeholders in Africa’s health sector to convene and develop a regional strategy to address the ongoing foreign aid crisis.
In an interview with DWAfrica, Dr. Parirenyatwa emphasized the urgent need for African nations to take decisive action in response to the recent executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which has led to the suspension of critical foreign aid.
“Thank you very much, Josie. As you are aware, Trump’s decision calls for an urgent and heightened response from the African continent. At this juncture, it is crucial for our health ministers to convene an emergency meeting—whether at the SADC, ECOWAS, or AU level—to strategize on how to mitigate the impact of this funding withdrawal,” he stated.
Dr. Parirenyatwa stressed the importance of increasing domestic health funding to ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly those in rural areas, do not suffer devastating consequences due to the loss of external financial support.
“Our governments must look inward and reassess our financial priorities. We need to ask ourselves: Where are our resources? How can we reallocate funds to strengthen our health systems? We cannot continue relying on America or other foreign nations for support. This crisis should serve as a wake-up call for Africa to become self-sufficient in health financing.”
He further warned that without immediate intervention, essential health programs, including HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria prevention, and tuberculosis coverage, could face severe setbacks.
“The progress we have made in combating diseases such as HIV, malaria, and TB is at risk. Without sustained funding, we may experience shortages of condoms, essential medications, and critical health interventions. We must look to African philanthropists, our own governments, and our vast natural resources to bridge this financial gap. It is an urgent matter, and we must act now.”
Dr. Parirenyatwa concluded by urging African leaders to make health financing a top priority, emphasizing that sustainable solutions must come from within the continent.