Zambia to sign revised U.S. health deal without patient data and specimen-sharing clauses
Zambia is set to sign a $3.6 billion health agreement with the U.S. after successfully negotiating the removal of clauses requiring the sharing of patient data and biological specimens. The deal aims to support Zambian health services while transitioning the nation toward self-funded healthcare.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing trend of African nations asserting sovereignty over sensitive health data in bilateral agreements with Western powers.
Zambia will sign a revised health agreement with the United States that will not include contentious clauses committing the African nation to share patient health data and specimens with the U.S. government.
The five-year deal is worth $3.6 billion in total, combined funding from both countries for the African nation’s health services, Zambian Minister of Health Roma Chilengi said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
He didn’t say how much the U.S. would commit. However, he told Zambian state broadcaster ZNBC on Monday the U.S. would provide $1.5 billion over five years.
The U.S. has signed new bilateral health agreements with around two dozen African nations since last year, but some have pushed back on requirements to provide patient data.
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