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Alaska Defense®, a division of AKS Industries®, is supplying the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) with military-grade field hospitals. These hospitals, typically with a capacity of 30 and 40 beds, are not just ordinary medical facilities. They are equipped with state-of-the-art negative pressure isolation facilities and other life-saving medical equipment. This advanced-level care and treatment are crucial for patients infected with the coronavirus and other infectious diseases, ensuring ongoing medical care is available …when and where needed™.

Africa has the lowest vaccination rate of all continents, with only 2% of the population receiving the first COVID-19 vaccination. The continent has struggled to combat the effects of the coronavirus due to lower-than-expected vaccine deliveries, vaccination hesitancy, and inadequate infrastructure. In response, U.S. AFRICOM is donating field hospitals to help African nations enhance their disaster readiness, medical response, and mitigation capabilities.

U.S. AFRICOM DONATES FIELD HOSPITALS TO AFRICA

According to its website, AFRICOM “counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces, and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.”

With this mission in mind, AFRICOM purchased a total of 47 self-sufficient field hospitals equipped with negative pressure isolation systems. 

This purchase was part of a larger donation to strengthen local resources, which also included sending Alaska’s supervisors to train each country’s medical and support teams on the assembly, operation, and storage of the medical shelters and support systems. In addition to the negative pressure isolation capability, the field hospitals allow doctors and medical staff to perform operations and medical procedures.

AFRICAN NATIONS RECEIVE FIELD HOSPITALS FROM U.S. AFRICOM

KENYA

Map of Africa with Kenya highlighted.

In October 2020, Kenya’s border police unit received a 40-bed mobile field hospital valued at USD 1.6 million from AFRICOM. Initially installed in Kanyonyoo, this field hospital is a testament to the strong partnership between the U.S. and Kenya, reflecting the U.S.’s contribution of nearly USD 7.5 billion in resources since the start of the pandemic. Additionally, Alaska Defense provided a 30-bed negative pressure isolation system (NPIS) facility, a five-bed ICU/supply facility, and two U.N. Level 1 urgent care facilities. The installation of the 30-bed NPIS and five-bed ICU/supply facility was completed in August 2021, supervised by two Alaska Defense supervisors. The U.N. Level 1 urgent care facilities were installed in February 2022, also under the supervision of two Alaska Defense personnel. AFRICOM purchased these medical facilities for approximately USD 2.1 million.

SOUTH AFRICA

U.S. AFRICOM Purchases 40-Bed Mobile Field Hospital from Alaska Defense and Donates to South Africa.

Map of Africa with South Africa highlighted.

South Africa completed their field hospital installation in November of 2020 in Mahikeng, the capital of the country’s northwest province, following a surge of COVID-19. The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria assisted South African officials with the hospital’s transfer during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

ANGOLA

Map of Africa with Angola highlighted.

In March of 2021, Angola’s 40-bed field hospital installation was marked complete and officially handed over to the nation by Nina Maria Fite, Angola’s U.S. ambassador. The inauguration took place in the Soyo municipality of the northern Zaire province. 

BURKINA FASO

U.S. AFRICOM Donates 40-Bed Field Hospital from Alaska Defense to Burkina Faso.

Map of Africa with Burkina Faso highlighted.

Burkina Faso’s field hospital installation was completed in April of 2021. U.S. Ambassador Sandra Clark handed over the 40-bed field hospital.

DJIBOUTI

A Mobile Field Hospital for COVID-19 was Donated by U.S. AFRICOM to Djibouti.

Map of Africa with Djibouti highlighted.

Djibouti completed its initial field hospital installation in May 2021. A second field hospital was donated in July of 2022. Army General and AFRICOM’s commander Stephen Townsend attended the first mobile field hospital inauguration. Djibouti’s U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Pratt was present at both ceremonies and stated, “We are proud to work side by side, every day, with our Djiboutian partners and colleagues to ensure that our contributions to health care, job creation, education, and security are working for the benefit of all Djiboutians.” Dr. Ahmed Robleh Adbilleh, Djibouti’s Minister of Health, and Major General Shawley of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa were also in attendance. The mobile field hospitals are part of a multimillion-dollar donation from the U.S. Government for COVID-19 and ongoing medical-related facilities and assistance.

TUNISIA

Alaska Defense Representative Chris Grieve Reviews the Negative Pressure Alarm with Tunis Officials.

Map of Africa with Tunisia highlighted.

In April 2021, Tunisia received two 30-bed field hospitals from the United States. The U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Blome, and the Tunisian Minister of Health, Faouzi Mehdi, attended the handover ceremony. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. has donated USD 36 million to support Tunisia’s immediate coronavirus response and address long-term social and economic challenges.

Additionally, on April 19, 2024, the U.S. installed a 22-bed U.N. Level 2 mobile field hospital and an 11-bed U.N. Level 2 mobile field hospital in Tunisia. These installations include a HEPA pressure filtration unit for the operating room, ensuring a sterile environment for surgeries and critical medical procedures. The field hospitals are designed for various applications, including COVID-19 treatment, managing infectious diseases, and providing ongoing medical care.

The field hospitals were set up at a military base near Hammamet, Tunisia. Alaska Defense® personnel oversaw the installation process, with substantial assistance from local Tunisian Armed Forces soldiers. AFRICOM funded this project at a total cost of approximately USD 5.9 million.

GHANA

A 30-Bed Mobile Field Hospital with Negative Pressure Isolation was Donated by U.S. AFRICOM to Ghana in 2021.
Map of Africa with Ghana highlighted.

Alaska Defense® supplied Ghana with a 30-bed field hospital equipped with negative pressure isolation facilities, which was completed in August 2021 in the capital city of Accra. In February 2022, Alaska Defense® also provided a five-bed ICU/supply facility and a U.N. Level 1 urgent care facility, both supervised by Alaska Defense® personnel. The total cost of these installations was approximately USD 1.8 million and paid by AFRICOM.