UK axes flagship global health programme

A flagship health programme in Africa that ministers said would help protect Britain from future pandemic threats is being axed amid overseas aid cuts. The Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), which supported development and training for healthcare staff in six African countries, will close at the end of March, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.

The scheme ran projects in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Malawi and Somaliland and had been described as a way to boost pandemic preparedness by strengthening national health systems and by investing in countries that supply many staff to the NHS and social care.

Similar programmes have operated since 2008; the current three-year contract was due to end this month but had been expected to be renewed.

United Kingdom

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