US hands over US$2.2M health package to support disease prevention in Madagascar

MADAGASCAR— The United States has handed over health supplies and digital infrastructure worth more than US$2.2 million to Madagascar in a move aimed at strengthening disease prevention, outbreak detection and healthcare delivery across the country.

The support includes nearly one million insecticide-treated mosquito nets, more than 900,000 pieces of medical and laboratory equipment, and 33 Starlink satellite internet systems for health facilities in remote areas.

The handover ceremony was led by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Steve Bremner and attended by President of the Refoundation Col. Michaël Randrianirina, who received the donation on behalf of the Government of Madagascar.

The assistance forms part of a wider U.S.-Madagascar health partnership established under the bilateral Global Health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2025.

Under the agreement, the U.S. government has committed US$134 million to support health programmes in Madagascar between 2026 and 2030.

Mosquito nets to support malaria prevention

The largest share of the assistance comprises 989,250 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets valued at US$2 million.

These nets will be distributed to 63 districts and 1,661 community health centres across Madagascar to help reduce malaria transmission.

Malaria remains one of the country’s leading causes of illness and death, particularly among children and pregnant women.

The third and final shipment of mosquito nets arrived in late June, with nationwide distribution scheduled to run from July through mid-October.

The U.S.-funded Global Health Supply Chain Program–Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project will oversee the delivery of the nets to targeted communities.

Laboratory equipment strengthens disease surveillance

In addition, the United States supplied 908,523 pieces of medical and laboratory equipment worth $180,000.

The shipment includes personal protective equipment, laboratory supplies, diagnostic tools and cold-chain equipment to strengthen Madagascar’s public health system.

The donation also supports the country’s modernised digital disease surveillance system through the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) programme.

The upgraded system is designed to improve the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases, including monkeypox, plague, rabies, polio and Ebola, allowing health authorities to respond more rapidly to emerging outbreaks.

Starlink connectivity expands digital health capacity

The package also includes more than US$30,000 to procure, install, and provide the first year of service for 33 Starlink satellite internet systems at priority district and regional health offices.

The new connectivity will enable healthcare workers in remote and underserved locations to transmit surveillance data quickly to national health authorities, improving communication during public health emergencies and supporting faster coordination of disease response activities.

The U.S.-funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) programme will implement the connectivity project.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Bremner said the assistance reflects the United States’ commitment to strategic partnerships that strengthen national health systems while promoting long-term self-reliance.

He added that improving Madagascar’s capacity to detect and contain infectious diseases benefits both Malagasy communities and global health security by helping prevent outbreaks from spreading across borders.