USAID and the Johnson Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding to help build and strengthen the global health workforce, starting in Latin America and the Caribbean.  

The non-binding agreement between the foundation – the philanthropic arm of the American multinational pharmaceutical company – and the US government’s international development agency hopes to improve training and technology support for health workers. 

USAID is increasingly working with the private sector, including corporate philanthropy. 

The commitment will also support the Americas Health Corps, an initiative set up by the Biden-Harris administration in 2022, aimed at providing basic and specialised training to 500,000 public health and medical professionals throughout the region within five years. 

The Pan American Health Organisation, launched in June 2022, also aims to train half a million health workers in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2027. 

USAID and the Johnson Foundation say the commitments aim to address the unequal distribute of health workers throughout Latin American and the Caribbean, with rural regions greatly underserved.  

It is a signal of intent amid a growing desire by philanthropy to global health gaps. 

Melinda French Gates announced in October a $250 million fund towards women’s health as part of an open call to nonprofits around the world.  

Her new fund will tackle ‘maternity care deserts’ appearing due to the philanthropist describes as neglect of women’s health by funders.  

Grants are part of a $1 billion pledge made in May. 

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor at Alliance magazine.