Mali Clinic Supplies to Protect Against COVID-19

As of October 12th, The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center has reported 3,296 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mali. 632 of these cases are currently active, up from 480 in late August. Though Mali has been able to control the spread of COVID-19 by implementing well-coordinated public health and social measures, a lack of testing and PPE, misinformation, and growing political tension during the lockdown leave its people vulnerable. 

The combined effects of violent conflict, poor food harvests and COVID-19 have left Mali in a precarious state. Since prevention measures were implemented, poverty and living conditions have worsened significantly. With an overtaxed health system and lack of proper PPE, access to health services that are normally available has decreased. In addition, the spread of misinformation and conspiracies has increased tensions among vulnerable communities who are resisting government public health measures that interfere with normal life. 

The pandemic’s repercussions on peace and social relations in Mali are concerning. In some cases, health care workers and victims and survivors of COVID-19 have faced social stigma from the community. While being interviewed for a study on stigmatization of COVID-19 by Save the Children, Aissata, a Malian youth human rights advocate, said:

 “A friend shared with me her feelings following the death of her uncle, who had just come back from a Western country and was suspected of having COVID-19. While she was trying to cope with her pain and grief, people she had been with at the funeral kept calling her to find out whether she had the disease too. She felt harassed. She felt they didn't care about her and the painful time she was going through, but were only worried about being infected by her. Many of her friends and people who knew her ostracized her; she became the person to avoid. Eventually, the results showed her uncle was not even carrying the virus.”

While Mali is trying its hardest to control the spread of COVID-19, it still lacks the PPE, testing, sanitation supplies and community outreach that will allow for widespread treatment and prevention. Your donation will help us to continue to provide  essential supplies and services to Hope Center Clinic, so that patients and health care workers can stay safe and healthy. A donation of just $25 provides a box of masks to protect our staff and patients!

Thank you for your generosity and support to GAIA Vaccine Foundation!

Since 2012 Mali has been troubled by separatist and jihadist insurgencies, intercommunal violence, displaced persons. The most recent issues perturbing the West African country include a political coup and the COVID-19 pandemic; Mali is undoubtedly going through an unprecedented multidimensional crisis. 

On March 25, 2020, Mali officially recorded its first  positive case of Coronavirus. Since then, the virus has unfortunately managed to claim dozens of other victims, so much so that as this August 18th, Mali has 2,522 confirmed cases and 224 deaths on its record (mortality of 4.9%). The most affected region has been Bamako (claims 47.6% of the total confirmed cases), however, the regions of Timbuktu (22.5%) Mopti (9.8%) and Koulikoro (7%) have seen an outburst of cases in recent weeks.

Compared to other Africa countries, the COVID-19 situation in Mali seems less alarming, however, aware of the very high level of contamination of this virus, the Malian country must remain vigilant and be proactive in its preventative efforts in order to avoid a nationwide surge in contagion. As previously mentioned, the particularity of Mali in this health crisis lies in its unstable security, political and social context. Many experts attribute the rapid increase in confirmed cases to the holding of an election on March 29, just little time after the Coronavirus was confirmed present in Mali, as well as the multiple manifestations since then.

During a press conference in early August, the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Michel H. Sidibé, discussed Malian efforts on the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and stated that the future establishment of a systematic test operation of all contact persons, estimated to date at more than 2021 people. "This will make it possible to detect infected people in advance in order to be placed in isolation accompanied by early treatment," he said, undeniably greatest news for the country which currently lack proper contact tracing systems. On the other hand, the question of Mali’s endowment of supplies against COVID-19  (masks, disinfectant, personal protective equipment, tests, etc.) was a bit less reassuring. The Minister revealed that Mali has had difficulties accessing products necessary to implement nationwide prevention and treatment measures. Sidibé added that Mali has managed to establish select testing facilities and provision of personal protective equipment to hardest hit regions thanks to the support of international and national organizations. 

COVID-19 has undoubtedly exacerbated Mali’s humanitarian crisis. GAIA VF is committed to supporting Mali’s COVID-19 response in numerous ways including prevention messaging, COVID-19 education, providing clinic supplies to community health facilities, and enhancing Mali’s ability to prevent and control infections via testing, tracing, and vaccination when available. The battle against COVID-19 has emphasized the critical role of community—we must look out for our communities, whether local or international—to make sure that everyone, everywhere, has access to existing biomedical technology and the social support to lead a healthy life. In the context of a global pandemic, health preservation and security demands global solidarity; no community is truly safe if others are struggling with the management of a highly contagious coronavirus. Just as a viral disease like COVID-19 has no borders, neither should solidarity. This issue is a global challenge and it demands a proper global response because no country or community will be safe until all of us are. Your donation to GAIA VF’s anti-COVID-19 efforts can help makes this a reality, join us in securing our health.