THE announcement that the United States government will commit roughly $1.5 billion to support our health sector from 2026 to 2030 is undeniably welcome news. It comes at a time when the health system has been shaken by uncertainty, following Washington’s decision earlier this year to reduce annual medicine aid after uncovering systemic theft of donated drugs. With several donors recalibrating or withholding their support, the future of critical services, from ARV treatment to childhood immunisation programmes, appeared increasingly fragile. This new development offers a sigh of relief. It reassures the millions of our citizens whose lives depend on the health sector remaining functional and adequately supplied. But as we breathe out, we must also breathe in the sober realisation...