The governments of the United States and Senegal have signed a $90 million (54 billion CFA francs) five-year health memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening Senegal’s health system and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
The agreement was signed on March 13 in Dakar and focuses on priority areas including HIV/AIDS, malaria, disease surveillance, and epidemic preparedness, according to the United States Embassy in Senegal.
Under the partnership, the United States Department of State, with support from United States Congress, plans to provide up to $63 million over five years. The Senegalese government will contribute $27.3 million, bringing its total health investment during the period to $71.4 million.
The memorandum provides for full U.S. funding of frontline health workers and medical supplies in the first year, followed by a gradual transfer of certain responsibilities to Senegal.
Both countries stressed that the agreement does not reduce U.S. health support, transfer control of existing programs, or grant access to patients’ private data, which remains protected under Senegalese law.
