U.S. boosts malaria fight in Gambia with $3.88m lifesaving support

BANJUL — The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting The Gambia’s fight against malaria, following high-level discussions between U.S. Charge d’Affaires Eugene Young and Minister of Health Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh.

According to an official statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Banjul, the meeting focused on ongoing American health assistance aimed at strengthening malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment across the country. Central to the discussion was U.S. support provided through the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management program.

Under this initiative, according to Young, the United States has contributed approximately $3.88 million to supply The Gambia with essential malaria commodities, including rapid diagnostic tests, artemisinin-based combination therapies, and insecticide-treated bed nets. These resources are critical in reducing malaria-related illness and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.

The embassy noted that the assistance aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy, which emphasizes protecting the American people from global infectious disease threats while enabling partner countries to build resilient, accountable, and self-reliant healthcare systems.

Gambian health authorities have welcomed the continued partnership, highlighting the role of sustained international cooperation in advancing national malaria elimination goals and improving overall public health outcomes.

The collaboration underscores the longstanding health partnership between the United States and The Gambia, with malaria control remaining a key priority in efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure and disease surveillance capacity.