Zimbabwe backs out of ‘lopsided’ US health deal

Harare could not accept “unequal” terms under an agreement that would grant access to biological resources and epidemiological data, an official has said

Zimbabwe has rejected a proposed $367 million US health funding agreement, saying the deal is “lopsided” and requires the country to share sensitive health data with Washington.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said on Wednesday that the decision followed a thorough inter-ministerial review that concluded the arrangement did not meet fundamental partnership standards, including “mutual respect, transparency, and reciprocal benefit.”

“At its core, the proposal was asymmetrical,” Mangwana said, adding that Zimbabwe could not accept “unequal” terms to “share its biological resources and data over an extended period, with no corresponding guarantee of access to any medical innovations.”

Washington said it “regrets” the southern African nation’s decision to withdraw from negotiations on the pact, which would have provided assistance for priority health programs over a five-year period, including HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health.

READ MORE: Kenya court suspends ‘landmark’ US health deal

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Harare described the proposed package as “the largest potential health investment in Zimbabwe by any international partner,” calling the decision “deeply disappointing.”

The embassy said Washington will begin “the difficult and regrettable task of winding down” its health assistance program following the breakdown in talks.

“This collaboration would have delivered extraordinary benefits for Zimbabwean communities – especially the 1.2 million men, women, and children currently receiving HIV treatment through US-supported programs,” US Ambassador Pamela Tremont said.

Zimbabwe’s move comes amid mounting scrutiny of bilateral US health agreements in Africa. More than 50 civil society groups have warned the continent’s leaders that the agreements could “undermine sovereignty” by granting Washington “expansive access” to national health data systems and pathogen information.

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In December, Kenya’s High Court temporarily suspended a landmark five-year health cooperation deal with the US worth more than $1.6 billion, citing concerns that the program could expose sensitive medical information of Kenyan citizens to unlawful access.

According to official data, 16 African countries have so far signed collaboration MOUs with the US, amounting to over $18.3 billion in new health funding.

Earlier this month, Guinea-Bissau also halted a controversial hepatitis B vaccine study funded by the administration of US President Donald Trump after ethical concerns were raised about its design.