As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to work with our Malian partners in that effort. Ambassador Hankins joined the Minister of Health and Social Development, Dr. Fanta Siby, to donate supplies from the American people to the Malian people. COVID-19 test kits test kits will detect Malians who are infected and help prevent further spread. Hand sanitizer and face masks will protect the brave health care workers who care for the sick. The test analyzers will contribute to the ability of Mali to conduct reliable and rapid testing. The Ambassador stressed in his remarks “the health sector is a top priority of our assistance and we spare no efforts in this area.”
The United States has been supporting Mali’s COVID response efforts since the early days of the pandemic. Today’s donation from the U.S. Department of Defense is in addition to over $13 million (7 000 000 000 fCFA) already provided by USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of State.
Previous U.S. support to Mali has funded:
- Support for the Ligne Verte call center to get accurate COVID-19 information to Malians,
- Building capacity of hospitals and laboratories to conduct tests,
- Strengthening detection and prevention efforts at airports and border crossings,
- Countering rumors and disinformation,
- Funding mobile clinics,
- Training and helping to mobilize community-surveillance and emergency response teams,
- Contact tracing
- Improving infection prevention, hygiene and sanitation.
We are all in this together! Everyone, not just health professionals, must play a role in fighting the pandemic. Let’s fight COVID together!
