As malaria season begins across much of Africa, Ugandan health officials have raised concerns over the impact of U.S. aid cuts on efforts to combat the disease, which remains the leading cause of death on the continent, particularly among children.
The decision by the Trump administration to reduce 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts has sparked fears of a looming health crisis in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas.
Disruptions to Malaria Control Programs
Dr. Jimmy Opigo, head of Uganda’s malaria control program, revealed that the stop-work orders issued by USAID in January have forced his team to shift focus to disaster preparedness. The U.S. has long been the largest bilateral supporter of anti-malaria programs in Africa, funding crucial supplies such as insecticide-treated bed nets and anti-malarial medications.
“These resources are as essential as food,” Opigo stated from Kampala, warning that a disruption in supplies could lead to a surge in severe malaria cases, increasing the risk of life-threatening complications such as organ failure.
While malaria vaccines have been rolled out in parts of Africa, they remain imperfect, requiring continued support from global health organizations.
According to Malaria No More, a U.S.-based nonprofit, a single year of disruption in malaria control efforts could result in nearly 15 million additional cases and over 100,000 deaths worldwide. The organization has urged the Trump administration to reinstate critical funding before outbreaks escalate.
Impact on Uganda and Other High-Burden Countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Africa accounted for 95% of the 597,000 malaria-related deaths globally in 2023. Uganda, along with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains among the most affected nations.
In 2023, Uganda recorded 12.6 million malaria cases and nearly 16,000 deaths, with children under five and pregnant women most vulnerable. The U.S. previously allocated $30 million to $35 million annually to support Uganda’s malaria control efforts through the President’s Malaria Initiative, which funds NGOs, medical charities, and faith-based groups to ensure malaria prevention and treatment, especially in rural areas.
However, with the latest aid cuts, mosquito-spraying programs scheduled to begin in February, ahead of the rainy season, have been halted. The rainy season provides ideal conditions for anopheles mosquitoes to breed, increasing the risk of widespread infections.
“We need to spray houses before the rains, when mosquitoes multiply rapidly,” Opigo emphasized, adding that field research efforts have also been affected by the funding shortfall.
Calls for Alternative Support
Malaria accounts for 30% to 50% of outpatient visits at Ugandan health facilities, according to the Uganda National Institute of Public Health. Across the country, long queues of malaria patients are already forming at clinics, highlighting the urgent need for continued intervention.
Opigo suggested that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) could step in to provide support. However, he cautioned that Uganda must navigate its relationship with the U.S. carefully to ensure future cooperation.
As malaria season intensifies, Ugandan health officials remain on high alert, fearing that without immediate intervention, the impact of the aid cuts could lead to a severe health crisis.