Health, Population & Nutrition

	Doctor counseling client at a clinic affiliated with USAID funded "Top Reseau" program in Madagascar (implementing partner PSI). Photo: Aaron Brownell, USAID/Madagascar

The Challenge

While key health indices, have begun to improve with concerted, strategically planned US Government assistance that began in 1991, Madagascar continues to face major health challenges which threaten social and economic development. Health service quality is substantially below standard and basic medicines and supplies are regularly in short supply. Public and non-governmental sector capacity to plan effectively and manage health programs is weak, particularly in the areas of financial and administrative management, and the use of data for new activity planning. National health infrastructure, information and logistics systems are extremely weak, and much remains to be done at central and provincial levels to ensure sustainable health financing.  Taken together, these problems have substantial implications for the country's economic, social, and environmental well being.  Some of the major health problems are:

• High Infant Mortality Rate
• High Maternal Mortality Rate
• Low Contraceptive Prevalence Rate
• Low percentage of fully vaccinated children
• Chronic malnutrition
• High incidence of diarrheal disease, malaria & respiratory Infections
• High rates of classic STIs
• Increasing HIV prevalence
• Low access to potable water

USAID Response

USAID/Madagascar's Health, Population, and Nutrition program addresses priority maternal and child health problems through integrated programs using state-of-the-art approaches such as mobilizing communities to action, private-public partnerships, behavior change communications, and social marketing. USAID's health program builds upon past successes. It focuses on increasing demand for, and availability of, quality health services in Madagascar . The USAID team works closely with other health and development assistance agencies and donor and works cross-sectorally with other USAID programs.

Priority Areas:

• Child Health
    
• Maternal Health
   
• Family Planning
  
• HIV/AIDS
   
• Malaria
    
• Nutrition
   
• Linking Health, Population, and Environment