At a glance
CDC has collaborated with Madagascar's Ministry of Health since 2008 on key public health areas, including malaria and measles prevention, enhancing polio and rotavirus immunization efforts, and strengthening polio and influenza surveillance and response. Key achievements include increases in mosquito net distribution and preventive treatments for malaria in pregnant women.
Overview
Since 2008, CDC has worked closely with the Ministry of Health to address the following public health areas:
- Malaria
- Immunization
- Influenza
Malaria
Malaria is one of the top five causes of death in Madagascar. The entire population of the country is at risk of the disease. As co-implementer of U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) alongside USAID, CDC works with the National Malaria Control Program to:
- Distribute bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide
- Prevent malaria in pregnancy
- Improve prompt case management
- Spray insecticide in houses to protect residents for up to eight months
- Use rapid tests to diagnose malaria and then treat people who test positive
Key achievements
Since 2008, CDC's support through PMI has helped deliver:
- Over 29 million mosquito nets, resulting in a 21% increase in the number of homes with at least one net.
- Nearly 6 million malaria preventive treatments in pregnant women.
- Over 25 million rapid diagnostic tests and 13 million doses of fast-acting malaria medicine.
- Insecticide to spray 5 million homes.
Immunization
Measles
Madagascar experienced a large outbreak of measles beginning in October 2018. CDC's international measles group provided technical assistance to the Madagascar MOH and the WHO in support of the outbreak response.
Polio
CDC collaborates with WHO and the MOH in the Stop the Transmission of Polio (STOP) Immunization and Data Specialists (ISDS) strategy. The partnership supports improvement of staff capacity at regional, district, and health facility levels. On-the-job training and mentorship builds skills in the proper management and use of immunization and vaccine preventable diseases surveillance data.
Did you know?
Rotavirus
Diarrheal disease is one of the largest causes of illness and death in Madagascar, particularly for young children. CDC supports three hospitals in the capital city to monitor causes of diarrhea and vaccine performance.
Influenza
CDC works with partners to prevent, detect, and respond to influenza. Key activities include:
- Strengthening influenza surveillance
- Conducting research to estimate disease burden and vaccine effectiveness among young children, older adults, and pregnant women
- Promoting influenza vaccination
- Supporting outbreak investigations
- Establishing pandemic influenza preparedness
Workforce development
CDC launched a Field Epidemiology Training Program in Madagascar in 2022 and has trained 58 district-level staff in basic applied epidemiology.
