Zambia has announced its intention to sign a five-year health agreement with the United States following the removal of contentious clauses that would have required sharing patient data and specimens with Washington. Health Minister Roma Chilengi said the deal totals $3.6 billion in funding from both countries, with the US providing $1.5 billion over five years. The agreement is part of a broader US effort to establish health deals with African countries after the dismantling of USAID, with Washington seeking greater domestic health spending from African governments. Some African countries have signed similar agreements, which allow US authorities to distribute requested data and specimens to non-government entities for research and medical development. Zimbabwe, however, rejected an earlier deal partly over the requirements, with Namibia and Ghana also doing the same.