The U.S. has canceled critical Ebola aid contracts in Uganda despite claims of restoration by Elon Musk. Only six staff members are now tasked with managing multiple outbreaks, significantly hampering the response efforts. Key programs for protective gear and airport screenings were terminated, creating a major gap in the U.S. role in combating the Ebola threat amid ongoing challenges in Africa.
On February 28, 2025, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially canceled four of the five Ebola contracts in Uganda, despite claims by Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, that funding had been quickly restored. These contracts were part of a larger set of 10,000 grants terminated amid cuts enforced by Musk’s newly established Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). The cancellations occurred as Uganda grapples with a serious Ebola outbreak that commenced in January.
The canceled contracts were vital for various aspects of Ebola prevention, including airport screenings and the provision of protective equipment for health care workers. Sources reveal that these cancellations disrupted essential Ebola prevention initiatives, with only six USAID personnel now managing multiple outbreaks, down from over fifty. Several former USAID officials have expressed concern about the effectiveness of such a limited team handling multiple health crises.
Musk communicated to Cabinet members that the intervention funding had been promptly restored following DOGE’s previous cancellations, stating that there was “no interruption” in Ebola prevention efforts. However, evidence from former USAID officials contradicts this assertion, indicating significant lapses, including a two-week pause in airport screenings due to funding and contract issues.
Despite some waivers for health programs related to infectious diseases, actual financial resources have not reached operational levels in the field, exacerbating the situation. Notably, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that USAID and the State Department are not required to remit immediate payments for $1.5 billion owed for prior completed work, further complicating the funding landscape.
With protective gear in high demand in Uganda, efforts to procure supplies from the World Health Organization were hindered, leading to the purchase of alternative equipment at a substantial cost. As a result, questions have been raised regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of these funding decisions and the ongoing response to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
The cancellation of key contracts by USAID will significantly impair Ebola control efforts in Uganda amidst an active outbreak. Miscommunications regarding aid reinstatement, coupled with drastic cuts in personnel dedicated to outbreak response, highlight systemic inefficiencies in the handling of this public health crisis. The information reveals an urgent need for more effective resource management to safeguard public health interests.
Original Source: www.healthday.com
