The rainy season in Madagascar presents a major challenge to healthcare access, particularly for those living in remote areas. During this period, the peak season for malaria coincides with the cyclone and rainy season, which lasts from October to May. This makes it difficult for people to reach health centres, resulting in delayed medical care until their health reaches a critical state.
For malnourished children, this poses an even greater risk to their lives. Dr. Nantenaina, a medical doctor at the Intensive Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) run by MSF, highlights the difficulties faced during heavy rainfall. The roads become muddy, flooded, and impassable, making it hard for both health workers and patients to travel to health centres. This inhibits patients from seeking timely medical attention or being sent home for follow-up care.
In areas like Ikongo, where healthcare facilities are far from households, the journey to seek medical help can be arduous. Soanary, the mother of a 4-year-old boy with malnutrition and malaria, shares her experience of traveling to the nearest health centre. To reach the facility, she had to walk for four hours, crossing through water with her son on her back as his condition worsened.
Overall, the combination of heavy rainfall and the malaria peak season creates significant challenges for accessing healthcare in Madagascar. It underscores the need for improved infrastructure and resources to ensure that all individuals, especially vulnerable populations like malnourished children, can receive timely medical care regardless of the weather conditions.