U.S. Government Provides Personal Protective Equipment to Front Line Malagasy Health Workers

ANTANANARIVO – On March 11, front line health care workers in 13 areas of Madagascar hard hit by Covid-19 received welcome assistance – “head-to-toe” personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by the U.S. government to keep these critical health workers healthy and continuing their vital work of caring for their patients sick with the coronavirus. 

The donation of the 45,500 medical grade face coverings, 39,000 gloves, 2,600 disposable gowns, 2,600 disposable overshoes, 650 goggles, 650 thermometers, 260 jumpsuits, and 650 bottles of sanitizing gel is a model of U.S.-Malagasy collaboration.  United States Africa Command funded the purchase of the locally made personal protective equipment, while Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health identified the areas where the protection packs would be delivered.  The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) IMPACT program, implemented by Population Services International (PSI), delivered the PPE packs in collaboration with the Regional Directorates of Health and the Health District Authorities.  

“The United States of America and Madagascar are ‘mpirahalahy mianala’ as we strive to ensure the good health of the Malagasy people and the safety of Madagascar’s dedicated health care workers,” said U.S. Ambassador Michael Pelletier.

This is the United States Africa Command’s second Covid-response donation to Madagascar.  In July 2020, they donated 4,000 medical grade face coverings to health care workers in Toliara and Moramanga, demonstrating the U.S. government’s longstanding commitment to Madagascar and its continued support to partner nations in the fight against Covid-19.

This donation comes in addition to $2.5 million in emergency funding already provided by the United States to support the Government of Madagascar’s response to Covid-19 and the repurposing of $2.2 million worth of USAID health projects to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.  The U.S. government is the largest single-country donor to Madagascar's health sector, providing $72 million in 2020 alone to fund USAID’s health activities. [[nid:396566]]