In response to steep cuts in foreign aid, #Zambia, #Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (#DRC) are significantly boosting their funding for family planning programs. This shift towards domestic financing aims to protect decades of progress in reproductive health and ensure continued access to birth control for millions of women and girls. See article from The Guardian.
- Zambia is increasing its budget from $4.5m to $7.5m,
- Zimbabwe is adding $2.25m annually, and
- the DRC is introducing a $5m annual budget for contraceptives.
This move reflects a broader trend towards self-reliance in healthcare funding, driven by the need to address the fragility of donor-dependent health systems.
The fact that governments are now stepping in to secure essential public services reminds me of the case that Nobel laureate Angus Deaton made against foreign aid: ‘My argument is […] that aid undermines the contract between government and the governed that is essential for successful development.’
Adopting this perspective, we see governments taking responsibility for key public services themselves instead of relying on foreign institutions that also bring their own agenda.
Following Deaton’s argument, international donor structures should not simply be called upon to step in, but rather engage in honest discussions with their partners to change their approach to international cooperation.
Thoughts?
Angus Deaton discussing Easterly’s book „Tyranny of Experts“, with relevant thoughts on the issue.
