partnership with PAHO aims to strengthen malaria response, support health goals

IN a significant boost to Guyana’s efforts to combat malaria, the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Guyana, has donated 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests to the Guyana National Malaria Programme.

This donation addresses a critical shortage of malaria test kits in the country and is expected to greatly enhance Guyana’s malaria response capabilities.

U.S. Ambassador, Nicole Theriot, emphasised the importance of the donation, stating, “The United States is a committed and long-term partner in Guyana’s development. This donation supports the Government of Guyana’s vision of a Malaria Free Guyana by 2030.”

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed his gratitude for the support, noting, “The Ministry of Health expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of the United States of America for its generous donation of 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic kits. The kits will significantly enhance our capacity to promptly and precisely diagnose malaria in many rural communities across Guyana and will safeguard the well-being of our citizens. We are thankful for the ongoing partnership, which has assisted Guyana tremendously over the years.”

The donated kits will be distributed to Regions one, seven, eight, nine, and 10, which, together, account for more than 95 percent of malaria cases in Guyana.

Since 2016, the U.S. Government has played a crucial role in supporting Guyana’s malaria control efforts through its regional malaria Programme, collaborating with PAHO and the USAID Breakthrough Action team. Achievements under this partnership include mapping high malaria rate areas, distributing 3,000 bed nets to vulnerable populations, enhancing malaria management in Regions seven and eight, and facilitating a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, government entities, and mining associations.

The donation of the rapid diagnostic tests represents a continued commitment to combating malaria and supporting the health goals of Guyana.