mPharma reposted this
It is a failure of philanthropy and not a sign of success that in 2024, countries like Ghana, Nigeria or Kenya continue to receive donations of malaria bed nets, malaria medications or HIV test kits when corruption runs rampant and political cronies siphon funds. One can argue that continuing to absolve African governments of their singular responsibility of using their resources for the betterment of their people because there will always be a new global health initiative to guilt Western countries and their taxpayers into donating money to solve these problems influences the vicious cycle of corruption in these countries. If these governments are willing to let their people die of easily treatable and preventable diseases because they would instead steal from the people, then so be it. This may force their citizens to rise and demand better from their governments.
There is always an incentive to take donor money to provide free services bc it creates easy opportunities for corruption and it also means donor funds get siphoned back to foreign manufacturers and service providers who get premium pricing and a guaranteed market. This is not to say all donor funds lead to corruption but it is to say problems like the one you identified here absolve the local government of basic responsibility.
Also a failure on the part of the donors. Why continue to give monies when at the end of the day you realize the money is not being used as intended? No charges to the ICC, nothing. It can be interpreted as aiding and abetting corruption. They may also be complicit! The most important part of any project is benefit realization. If the benefits are not realized, then the project failed
We ought to reexamine the true intention of aid in African countries. Western philanthropy often serves agendas beyond simple charity. It is perhaps a crucial instrument of Western foreign policy in African nations. Yes, you heard right: Western aid is a pivotal tool for executing Western foreign policy in the African region. When considering the provision of malaria medication and HIV test kits to these countries, it is evident that Western donors are fully aware of the corrupt environments they are supporting. Yet, year after year, they continue their aid. One could argue that this perpetuates a dependency on aid rather than fostering empowerment within these African nations. However, have you considered that there might be more to this aid than just malaria medication and HIV test kits? Perhaps, just perhaps, those aid workers hold other, more clandestine titles. "Beneath the veil of aid lies the intricate dance of influence; not all that is given is meant to empower."
In my opinion, it is trite to continue to absolve African government leaders and then turn around to blame the colonial masters for the underdevelopment on the continent. African leaders and citizens must rise up to tackle the challenges facing the continent.
Nous en Europe, c'est pire dans un système de santé soit disant développé on a voulu nous condamner, certains et certaines en sont déjà morts avec un vaccin mortel contre le COVID. Je ne sais pas où est le pire?
I agree that there needs to be a shift in mindset when it comes to addressing issues like corruption and mismanagement of funds in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. It's time for us to support initiatives that focus on building sustainable systems and ensuring that governments are held accountable for using resources for the benefit of their citizens.
Corporate capture includes the philanthropy sector. It is by design. This recent SWU is worth a listen on Big Pharma and the business called 'cancer.' - https://youtu.be/foj4sfQP3ek?si=ydSkBT0nOTb-Ifhk
The corruption is deep, but on a high note our leaders really need to be ashamed of such acts and make amends. One can ague the have no shame, if so then accountability should be our go to point. Accountability!
The corruption runs very deep. The WHO/ IMF/ WB cronies really DON'T want to cure/eliminate these diseases because it means that their budgets will be cut-- no more $$ to fight these di7seases. And in Africa, the more $$ you control, the more elevated your status. It's not the OUTCOME on which you're evaluated, it's the INPUTS-- a completely backward system of rewards. We know how to eradicate malaria in the west-- Europe and the US is free of malaria so we know how to do it, and to keep it from recurring. What we need is the political will of African nations to make it happen.