In a significant boost to Guyana’s fight against malaria, the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Guyana, has donated 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests to the Guyana National Malaria Programme.
The donation comes in response to a critical shortage of test kits in the country and is expected to significantly strengthen Guyana’s malaria response efforts.
US Ambassador Nicole Theriot highlighted the commitment of the United States to Guyana’s development, 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 gratitude for the donation, saying, “The Ministry of Health expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of the United States of America for its generous donation of 20,000 rapid diagnostic kits. These 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 are intended for use in interior regions, which account for more than 95 percent of Guyana’s cases. Since 2016, the US government has supported Guyana’s efforts to combat the disease through its regional malaria program in collaboration with partners like PAHO and the USAID Breakthrough Action team.
Key achievements of this ongoing collaboration include mapping high malaria incidence areas, distributing 3,000 bed nets to vulnerable populations, improving malaria management in Regions 7 and 8, and facilitating a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, other government entities, and mining associations.
Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by infected Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant health challenge in Guyana. This recent donation is a crucial step toward the country’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.
