This national symposium brought together healthcare professionals, physicians, researchers, institutional leaders, representatives of learned societies, and partners involved in maternal and infant health. The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, the UNICEF Representative to Madagascar, the Regional Director of the Mérieux Foundation, and the presidents of SOMAPED and COMAGO.
Organized with a view to providing comprehensive care for mothers and children, the symposium sought to promote a harmonized, evidence-based national framework for action targeting the four stages defined for the symposium: monitored pregnancy, safe delivery, neonatal care, and care for children under the age of two.
In her speech, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Lethicia Lydia Yasmine, recalled the strategic importance of this time for the country’s development, emphasizing that “Madagascar’s future is determined by the very first moments of life” and reminding attendees that nearly 40% of children under the age of five are currently affected by stunted growth, anemia, and/or micronutrient deficiencies. She also said she expected the symposium to produce “a joint declaration of intent” to strengthen priority actions benefiting mothers and children.
Christine Jaulmes, the UNICEF Representative to Madagascar, pointed out for her part that the first 1,000 days form “the foundations of a life,” comparing this period to the construction of a building that is only as sound as its foundations. She highlighted the importance of strengthening integrated initiatives to sustainably improve the health, nutrition, and development of young children.
The proceedings were organized around technical presentations, followed by discussion sessions and thematic workshops. These working sessions provided an opportunity to analyze the latest data on maternal, neonatal, and infant health, identify key operational challenges, and define areas for action to improve the quality and continuity of services at each stage of the care pathway.
Discussion focused in particular on improving prenatal and postnatal care, promoting safe childbirth, and preventing and treating malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. A number of cross-cutting issues were also discussed, including more effectively aligning the provision of medical laboratory tests with demand from prescribers, addressing the overuse of antibiotics, and antimicrobial resistance. The participants’ shared challenge was to strengthen integrated, coordinated approaches consistent with local realities.
Through its support for this first national symposium on the first 1,000 days of life, the Mérieux Foundation is assisting national stakeholders in their efforts to improve quality of care, enhance the capabilities of health professionals, and support the development of integrated care pathways for mothers and children.
The thematic workshops held on the third day of the symposium, inspired by the presentations given during the first two days, allowed participants to engage in in-depth discussions. This approach made it possible to identify and consolidate the main areas for improvement in order to enhance overall care for mothers and children during the first 1,000 days.
In particular, this work informed the initial draft of a joint statement of intent, based on the technical discussions and contributions from the various stakeholders. This statement of intent will now undergo further consolidation, prioritization, and approval to yield a document that will be shared with all stakeholders and decision-makers, and will guide the next stages of collaboration and action.
The recommendations arising from this process will provide a basis for future action. They will inform a joint roadmap, as well as future initiatives by national authorities and their partners, and future projects by the Mérieux Foundation in Madagascar, with the aim of making a lasting contribution to improving maternal and child health during the crucial first 1,000 days of life.
