The Impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders on WHO Withdrawal and Aid Reduction on Africa

In a historic and controversial move, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued executive orders that led to the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and a significant reduction in aid to developing countries, particularly those in Africa. This decision will disrupt long-standing global health partnerships and raise concerns about the future of healthcare programs that depend on U.S. financial and technical assistance.

For African nations, including Kenya, this policy shift will result in a substantial shortfall in healthcare funding, threatening essential services such as vaccination campaigns, HIV/AIDS treatment programs, and maternal and child healthcare initiatives. Many governments are now forced to reassess their health budgets and allocate additional domestic resources to fill the gap left by dwindling U.S. support. Public health experts have warned that the reduction in aid could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases, weaken pandemic preparedness, and strain already fragile healthcare systems.

Despite these challenges, the crisis also serves as a wake-up call for African nations to rethink their healthcare financing and sustainability approach. With foreign assistance becoming increasingly uncertain, African governments are faced with mounting pressure to implement long-term strategies prioritizing domestic resource mobilization, public-private partnerships, and policy reforms to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. The shift is also encouraging regional cooperation, with African nations exploring joint funding mechanisms and medical research collaborations to ensure future health security and resilience.

The Impact on African Healthcare Systems

The U.S. has historically been one of the largest donors to the WHO and has played a crucial role in funding programs for infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and pandemic response in Africa. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from WHO and cut aid has the following direct effects:

1. Disruption of Health Programs: The reduction in U.S. aid affected critical programs such as HIV/AIDS treatment under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), malaria control, tuberculosis treatment, and vaccine distribution. This resulted in setbacks in disease prevention and treatment efforts, limiting access to life-saving medications and intervention programs for millions of people.
2. Increased Healthcare Costs: Many African governments, including Kenya’s, face budgetary shortfalls as donor funding declined, forcing them to reallocate funds from other essential services. This will led to increased out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for citizens, widening the gap in access to quality medical care between the wealthy and low-income populations.
3. Weakened Pandemic Response: The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated Africa’s reliance on global institutions for vaccines, personal protective equipment, and technical expertise. The U.S. withdrawal from WHO will strain efforts to combat the virus, resulting in delays in vaccine acquisition and distribution, and exacerbating the continent’s vulnerability to future pandemics.
4. Limited Research and Capacity Building: African medical research institutions have lost access to funding that supports innovation and capacity building in local healthcare systems. This will hinder progress in developing region-specific medical solutions, delaying advancements in disease surveillance, diagnostics, and treatment capabilities.

Kenya’s Specific Challenges

Kenya, as one of the leading beneficiaries of U.S. health aid in Africa, will face significant hurdles following the withdrawal of U.S. funding. The impacts will be widespread, affecting multiple facets of the healthcare system:

1. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Implementation Struggles: The Kenyan government has been pushing for universal health coverage as part of its “Bottom up Agenda.” However, a significant portion of funding for UHC was to came from external partners, including U.S. agencies. With aid reduction, Kenya will struggle to sustain affordable healthcare services for its citizens, forcing the government to either reallocate funds from other critical sectors or scale down its ambitious UHC plans.
2. Increased Burden on Disease Control Programs: Kenya has historically benefited from U.S.-funded initiatives targeting infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) played a crucial role in providing antiretroviral treatments, supporting testing centers, and facilitating community outreach programs. Reduced funding will led to shortages of life-saving medications, disruptions in preventive care, and the scaling down of treatment initiatives, putting vulnerable populations at greater risk.
3. Maternal and Child Health Setbacks: The reduction in U.S. aid will significantly affect maternal and child health programs, which rely on funding to provide prenatal care, immunizations, and nutritional support for mothers and infants. This will result in increased maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly in marginalized and rural areas where government-funded healthcare services are already stretched thin.
4. Public Health Emergency Response Limitations: The COVID-19 pandemic revealed Kenya’s dependence on international donors for emergency medical supplies, vaccines, and pandemic response strategies. The reduction in U.S. aid will make it harder for Kenya to respond effectively to health crises, slowing vaccine rollout, limiting the availability of protective equipment for healthcare workers, and reducing testing capacity. Future health emergencies could be even more devastating without alternative funding sources.
5. Increased Financial Strain on Citizens: The budgetary shortfalls due to reduced donor funding will force the government to introduce additional costs for healthcare services. This shift will led to an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for patients, further limiting access to medical care for low-income populations. Many families will have to choose between basic needs and medical treatment, exacerbating existing inequalities in healthcare access.
6. Weakening of Medical Research and Training Programs: Kenyan medical institutions have historically received grants and technical support from U.S.-backed research programs to advance medical studies and train healthcare professionals. The withdrawal of funds will affect research on diseases prevalent in the region, delay the development of locally tailored medical solutions, and reduce opportunities for Kenyan healthcare professionals to participate in global knowledge-sharing initiatives.

As a result of these challenges, Kenya will have to reassess its healthcare financing strategies, focus on increasing domestic healthcare investments, and explore alternative partnerships with non-U.S. donors and private sector stakeholders. The situation will underscore the urgency of building a self-reliant healthcare system that is resilient in the face of global funding fluctuations.

A Turning Point for Africa: Building Self-Reliant Health Systems

The withdrawal of U.S. aid and funding for African healthcare systems underscores the necessity for African nations to develop sustainable, self-reliant health policies. Rather than continuing to depend on foreign assistance, African governments must take proactive steps to strengthen their healthcare infrastructure through domestic resources and innovative strategies.

1. Increased Domestic Healthcare Funding: African nations should prioritize healthcare in their national budgets, aiming to meet or exceed the Abuja Declaration target of allocating at least 15% of total government expenditure to the health sector. Improved tax collection mechanisms and effective budgeting can help bridge funding gaps and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Engaging private sector players in healthcare investment, infrastructure development, and service provision can boost efficiency and expand access to quality healthcare. Incentives such as tax breaks and reduced bureaucratic barriers can encourage private firms to invest in hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceutical production.
3. Strengthening Local Pharmaceutical Production: African nations should invest in their pharmaceutical industries to reduce dependency on imported medicines and medical supplies. This includes supporting local manufacturers through favorable policies, technology transfers, and research collaborations to ensure the production of affordable and high-quality drugs.
4. Healthcare Insurance and Revenue Generation: Expanding national health insurance schemes can provide a sustainable financing model for healthcare. Governments should implement mandatory insurance contributions and subsidized schemes for low-income populations to ensure universal coverage. Additionally, innovative revenue-generation strategies, such as sin taxes on tobacco and alcohol, can be earmarked for healthcare funding.
5. Regional Collaboration: African nations can work together through the African Union (AU) and regional economic blocs to pool resources, share best practices, and coordinate large-scale health initiatives. Establishing centralized procurement mechanisms for medical supplies and negotiating bulk purchases of vaccines and drugs can lower costs and improve access.
6. Investing in Healthcare Workforce and Infrastructure: Training and retaining healthcare professionals is crucial for a self-sufficient system. African countries should increase investments in medical education, offer competitive salaries, and provide incentives for healthcare workers to remain in their home countries rather than seek employment abroad. Additionally, upgrading healthcare facilities with modern equipment and digital health technologies can enhance service delivery.

By focusing on these strategies, African nations, including Kenya, can create resilient and self-sufficient healthcare systems, reducing vulnerability to external funding fluctuations and ensuring long-term public health stability.

Conclusion

President Trump’s executive orders regarding WHO withdrawal and aid reduction will significantly impact Africa’s healthcare landscape, creating immediate challenges for disease control programs, public health financing, and access to essential medical services. However, this situation also presented a critical turning point for African nations, including Kenya, to reassess their healthcare strategies and build sustainable, self-reliant systems. By prioritizing healthcare investment, governments can reduce dependence on foreign aid through strategic policy reforms, increased budget allocations, and the promotion of innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships and national health insurance schemes. Furthermore, fostering regional integration among African nations can strengthen collective bargaining power in medical procurement, support homegrown pharmaceutical manufacturing, and facilitate knowledge-sharing in medical research. These efforts can ultimately lead to a more resilient, adaptive, and independent healthcare framework capable of withstanding global financial shifts and public health emergencies.