On February 6, the United States and the Government of Burundi signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen health cooperation. This agreement is part of the America First Global Health Strategy and aims to protect Americans from infectious disease threats.
The Department of State, in collaboration with Congress, plans to provide over $129 million during the next five years to help Burundi fight HIV/AIDS and malaria. The funding will also support efforts to improve disease surveillance and response to outbreaks. In return, the Government of Burundi has agreed to increase its domestic health spending by $26 million over the same period, aiming for greater self-reliance in its health system.
The MOU builds on longstanding U.S. efforts against HIV/AIDS and malaria in Burundi. It seeks to enhance Burundi’s ability to detect and control infectious diseases before they can spread beyond its borders. The agreement is expected to help maintain treatment for 97 percent of people living with HIV in Burundi and reduce malaria deaths among children under five by half. Additionally, it focuses on improving integrated service delivery models within Burundi’s healthcare system for better efficiency, quality, and patient retention.
According to the State Department, MOUs under the America First Global Health Strategy now represent more than $18.3 billion in new global health funding—over $11.18 billion from U.S. assistance and $7.12 billion as co-investment from recipient countries—supporting ongoing work against major infectious diseases worldwide.
"This MOU safeguards Americans by strengthening Burundi’s capacity to detect and contain infectious disease outbreaks before they spread internationally."
Overall, officials say these initiatives are designed both to save lives abroad and help prevent global health threats from reaching American shores.
