US inks bilateral health deal with Senegal

Senegal and the United States have signed a five-year health cooperation agreement totalling $135 million in funding from both countries, the U.S. embassy said on Monday.



The United States is pursuing bilateral deals with African countries after dismantling its aid agency last year, cutting funds and contracts worldwide.



The U.S. will provide $63 million while Senegal will contribute $72 million. Reducing malaria and HIV cases will be a priority, though the agreement will also cover disease prevention and epidemic response.



The U.S. will spend an average $12.6 million per year in aid to Senegal's health sector.