Covering some 587,000 km2, the Republic of Madagascar (capital: Antananarivo) is the largest island in the Indian Ocean. The economic situation of this island located off the coast of East Africa remains extremely disturbing. Nearly 70% of its 18 million inhabitants – half of whom are under the age of 15 – live below the poverty line and have no access to drinking water.
Health situation
In Madagascar, the life expectancy is less than 60 years and the infant mortality (58 in every 1000) is 14 times greater than in France. The per-capita expenditure on health stands at less than 9 Euro a year (less than 10% of the government budget is affected with health expenditure).
In spite of the efforts of decentralising the health centres, the access to good healthcare still remains unaccessible for a vast majority of the population (it is very expensive, distance of the infrastructures or lack of qualified medical staff apart from the capital, little information on health and communication on a good practice of hygiene…)
Malaria, diarrheal infections and respiratory infections such as tuberculosis are the main diseases that struck Madagascar.
Through its presence in the field, Fondation Mérieux works in partnership with national programmes set up to fight against these infections.
Actions
Training and exchange of knowledge
Clinical biology laboratories
Partners
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Fondation Amber
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Fondation Franco-Malgache pour le Développement
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University of Medicine
Contact
Bénédicte Contamin
Regional Manager Indian Ocean
