Cabinet makes vaccines provisions as international health organizations report drop in funding

Amidst the news that the United States will be withdrawing from the PAHO and WHO, cabinet is making provisions to acquire vaccines.

Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) will set aside $1 million US to purchase vaccines in the event of a serious outbreak or a pandemic.

Both the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have suffered a decrease in contributions since the United States has signalled its intent to withdraw from these regional and international organizations and to end the funding that it once provided.

The Trump administration has prepared a proposal to overhaul the structure of how Washington distributes billions of dollars of foreign aid, according to an internal memo that calls for funding fewer areas that it views as better aligned with U.S. geopolitical interests.

Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign aid on his first day in office. That action and ensuing stop-work orders halting many programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development worldwide, have jeopardized the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid, throwing into chaos global humanitarian relief efforts.

Several countries worldwide have reported negative impacts to their health industry due to this halt.