Aumua Announces $500 K Grant for Zika Maternal and Child Care

Washington, D.C. –Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, was pleased to announce today that the

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded the American Samoa Dept. of Health (ASDOH) $500,000 in grant funding for the Zika Maternal and Child Health Services Program.

"This additional funding for Zika health services will go a long way towards helping prevent the devastating birth defects caused by infection during pregnancy," said Amata. "I look forward to the time when this horrible disease is completely eradicated from our home," continued Amata.

American Samoa has been one of the hardest hit regions of the U.S. states and territories with over 700 reported cases of Zika. HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) has been working closely with Center for Disease Control(CDC) to track Zika cases and disseminate information regarding prevention and testing to women of childbearing age and to local Maternal and Childhood healthcare professionals.

"I want to thank Project Director, Margaret Sesepasara, her staff, and the other local officials who made this grant possible. I also want to thank the officials at the HRSA who recognized the need for these funds and the importance of combating Zika here in American Samoa," concluded Amata.

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