The PluriElles project aims to combat pandemics and expand accessible sexual and reproductive health and rights services in rural areas of Madagascar, notably through the deployment and training of community midwives.
Context
In Madagascar, the healthcare system is underfunded, and disparities between urban and rural areas remain pronounced. Over three-quarters of the population live in rural regions, where access to healthcare–particularly for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)–is inadequate. Maternal and infant mortality rates are alarmingly high, and public awareness of diseases like cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS is limited. UNAIDS Madagascar has raised the alarm about the need to prioritize young people and pregnant women, as the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow within the general population.
Description
To address these inequalities, the PluriElles project–focused on combating pandemics and strengthening SRHR in rural areas through an integrated, gender-sensitive approach–aims to deploy 12 new community midwives in the Ambanja district, Diana region, and strengthen the work of 13 midwives already established in the Analamanga region. These midwives will provide sexual and reproductive healthcare, as well as services for combating malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and cervical cancer. The project specifically addresses the needs of women, men, and youth. It will also include training to improve care in referral health centers and will mobilize community networks to raise awareness and inform the population.
Santé Sud is implementing this project in collaboration with the Malagasy organization MAD’AIDS and Madagascar’s health authorities to ensure these initiatives are integrated into the national health strategy.
Impact
The PluriElles project aims to increase the number of monitored pregnancies and safe deliveries by 10% in the targeted health areas. Additionally, 11,300 individuals will receive HIV/AIDS screening, 15,000 people will be tested for malaria, and 2,000 women of reproductive age will be screened for cervical cancer.
