PRESS RELEASES 2007

U.S. Government Provides $13 Million to GOJ to Help Stem Malaria

As part of the U.S. Government’s assistance to Jamaica to help stem malaria, Karen Turner, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), presented the first of two checks to Hon. Horace Dalley, Minister of Health at a ceremony on Thursday, January 10 in Kingston. The total assistance to the Government of Jamaica is valued at approximately J$13M (US$200,000).

In her remarks, Karen Turner said that USAID was pleased to work with the Government of Jamaica as they continue to tackle this urgent problem especially in light of the record numbers of visitors to Jamaica and the upcoming Cricket World Cup competition.  She commended the speedy efforts of the Government of Jamaica and the quick response to identify people with malaria, treat malaria cases promptly, and prevent complications and a further spread of the disease. 

Minister Dalley thanked USAID for their continued support to Jamaica and noted that Jamaica is now experiencing a downward trend in the number of new malaria cases.

The funds donated by the U.S. Government will help the Ministry purchase equipment such as foggers, sprayers and other items needed for mosquito control to halt the transmission of the malaria parasite. 

In addition, USAID also engaged the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to help the Ministry of Health identify people with malaria.  Hundreds of slides containing samples from Jamaicans were sent to the CDC to identify those infected with the malaria causing parasite.