Why Ghana rejected US proposal linking health aid to patient data access
A proposal by the United States to provide health support to countries in exchange for access to patient data has raised concerns among governments and experts, particularly in the Global South.
The proposal involves renewed US support to help countries address diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. The offer includes financial assistance and health interventions. In return, the US is said to have requested access to detailed health data, with concerns being raised about patient awareness and consent.
The World Health Organisation requires that patient data be collected with informed consent, used only for healthcare purposes, and kept confidential. Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012, also provides similar protections for personal data.
Ghana declined the proposal, citing concerns over data privacy and the protection of its citizens’ information.
Questions have also been raised about the purpose of the data request.
Experts have warned that the arrangement could go beyond health cooperation. The data and biological samples could potentially be used for research and development of drugs, vaccines, and gene therapies, which may later be commercialised.
The proposal has received mixed responses from other countries. Zimbabwe and Zambia rejected the offer. Kenya initially signed but faced legal challenges after a petition was filed in court. Other countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Cambodia, are reported to have signed similar agreements, with a total of 32 countries participating.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
