Nongovernmental organizations can carve out a space for themselves in the new U.S. bilateral health deals — as long as they prove their relevance to the governments that America is partnering with, and are willing to adapt to the new realities. That’s what health experts said during a Devex Pro Briefing on Tuesday.
The U.S. launched its new “America First” global health strategy in September, which prioritizes direct memorandums of understanding with countries and aims to work with the private sector and faith-based organizations. In previous administrations, U.S. global health funds were often funneled through large NGOs — of which the Trump administration isn’t a fan. It repeatedly criticized what it calls the “NGO industrial complex” for having high overhead costs and creating parallel systems — leaving country governments with little say in how health care money was spent.
It’s a criticism that has resonated with many but has also left NGOs — both international and local groups that aren’t faith-based — wondering what role they might play in these new bilateral deals.