US Donates $2.2 Million in Medical Aid to Madagascar

The US Government, represented by Chargé d'Affaires Steve Bremner, donated medical equipment worth $2.2 million to Madagascar. This includes approximately 989,250 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets and 900,000 pieces of laboratory medical equipment.

The donation was officially handed over to President Michaël Randrianirina, who described the assistance as a strategic investment in Madagascar's ability to detect and contain infectious disease outbreaks. The mosquito nets will be distributed across 63 districts and 1,600 community health centers from July to mid-October.

Malaria remains a leading cause of death in Madagascar. Additionally, the US funds a global health supply chain program to oversee the distribution of these nets, with the final shipment expected in late June.

The package also includes 908,523 pieces of medical laboratory equipment valued at $180,000, aimed at bolstering Madagascar's capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks of diseases such as monkeypox, plague, rabies, polio, and Ebola. Furthermore, $30,000 will fund the procurement and installation of 33 Starlink satellite internet systems to enhance data transmission for health workers in remote areas.