Fatoumata Keita – Stories – Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Laboratory Technician, CSCOM in Sebeninkoro, Bamako, Mali

March 26, 2026

When Fatoumata Keita was a young girl, an accident modified the course of her life. After her family sought treatment from a conventional healer, the care she received led to a everlasting disability in her left arm. This experience stayed along with her and inspired her to pursue a profession in science and health care.

“As a disabled person, I feel even more motivated to improve people’s health,” she says.

Today, Fatoumata is the one laboratory technician on the Center de Santé Communautaire (CSCOM) in Sebeninkoro, on the outskirts of Bamako. In his small laboratory, he performs tests that allow doctors and nurses to quickly diagnose diseases and properly treat patients, which is the primary line of defense against disease.

Most of her work focuses on malaria. On a typical day, Fatoumata conducts 20 to 30 malaria tests, which helps ensure patients receive accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Reliable diagnostics are the muse of solid healthcare systems – enabling healthcare employees to detect diseases early, respond quickly and forestall the spread of epidemics.

Her job comes with challenges. Electricity within the lab is simply available half the time, limiting the equipment it will possibly use and the variety of tests it will possibly perform.

Despite this, Fatoumata stays deeply committed. In addition to running the lab, he also trains student lab technicians, helping to organize the subsequent generation of healthcare employees.

Throughout Mali, community health centers corresponding to CSCOM in Sebeninkoro are the backbone of health care. With support from the Global Fund, these frontline facilities are strengthening their capability with essential diagnostics, medicines and trained medical experts.

Through his commitment, Fatoumata helps his community detect disease early, respond effectively and gain access to lifesaving care.