Bringing Primary Health Care within Reach across Madagascar

A resilient primary health care (PHC) system is the foundation of healthy communities. But for countries with limited resources and geographic barriers such as Madagascar, delivering quality services to the last mile can be an uphill battle. Since 2018, the Accessible Continuum of Care and Essential Services Sustained (ACCESS) program, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), has partnered with the Malagasy government, local leaders, health workers, and communities to break down barriers and bring care closer to home.

Through innovative solutions—from supporting the training of more than 18,000 community health volunteers to make home visits and educate families on healthy practices to equipping health centers and district hospitals with vital medical equipment and supplies—ACCESS has contributed to the strengthening of Madagascar’s health system. These efforts helped build upon existing institutions and practices to ensure sustainable care that meets the diverse needs of the 14 regions it supports.

In a set of videos, MSH’s Dr. Serge Raharison, ACCESS Program Director, explains what it takes to deliver quality PHC services in Madagascar, and he shares a personal story of how access to PHC saved his own life.

What It Takes to Establish an Equitable PHC System

PHC encompasses the essential services needed to live a healthy life—everything from disease prevention and treatment to reproductive health. But how can we ensure that these life-saving services reach everyone? Dr. Raharison explains how the ACCESS program partners with the Ministry of Public Health to support local health workers and institutions to deliver equitable, people-centered services.

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A Mission That Hits Close to Home

Dr. Raharison’s commitment to PHC began with his grandfather’s advocacy for maternal, child, and newborn health. Now, as ACCESS Program Director, he is carrying forward that legacy by transforming the way primary care is delivered and received in Madagascar. Hear Dr. Raharison’s powerful story and how the ACCESS program is making high-quality care a reality for communities, no matter how remote.

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Learn more about the USAID ACCESS Program.