Today in Washington, D.C., Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, along with Minister of Health Ussene Hilário Isse, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on health cooperation between the United States and Mozambique.
According to a statement by Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, the U.S. Department of State plans to provide up to $1.8 billion for health initiatives in Mozambique. The funding aims to expand solutions such as the HIV/AIDS prevention drug lenacapavir and support advancements in malaria prevention. Under the terms of the MOU, Mozambique has committed to increasing its domestic healthcare spending as a percentage of its government budget by nearly 30% over the next five years. The funds will also target improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health, as well as efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Pigott stated: "Today’s signing underscores the shared commitment to make Mozambique’s health care system durable, resilient, and an effective instrument for protecting both Americans and Mozambicans. The Department of State continues to deliver triumphs under the America First Global Health Strategy and drive forward critical global health advancements that demonstrate the impact of American innovation and leadership in global health security."
The United States intends to sign similar multi-year bilateral MOUs on global health cooperation with other countries receiving U.S. health assistance in the coming weeks.