The news medical center in Akamasoa, on its opening day
Opening of the Akamasoa Medical Center
The Akamasoa Medical Center in Manantenasoa has officially opened its doors with support from the Mérieux Foundation. This center is designed to provide essential medical care to a population living in poverty. With varied services covering medical and pediatric emergencies, it offers diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound and electrocardiogram machines.
Alain Mérieux, President of the Foundation, on the opening day
The center meets the community’s urgent health needs. The Mérieux Foundation supported the facility’s construction, strengthening access to healthcare. Today, the center is funded by symbolic contributions from patients, but the plan is to find other sources of funding to ensure its activities can continue.
“We are deeply grateful for the invaluable help of Mr. Mérieux and the Mérieux Foundation, who have made this vital project a reality for the people of Akamasoa,” said Father Pedro, founder of the Akamasoa Association, a long-standing partner of the Mérieux Foundation.
Opening of the new building at the Ambatofotsy-Bemahatazana Préci St. Anne Maternity and Pediatrics Medical Center
The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception has opened a new building at the PRÉCI St. Anne Maternity and Pediatrics Medical Center in Ambatofotsy in the municipality of Bemahatazana, with financial support from the Mérieux Foundation. This modern center, located 250 km from Antananarivo in the Bongolava region, is designed to offer high-quality maternity and pediatric care to a population of over 3,000 local residents, as well as people from neighboring regions within a 60 km radius. As the health centers nearby do not have ultrasound services, the PRÉCI St. Anne center can now offer one to fill the gap.
The new medical center building houses infrastructure dedicated to the specific needs of the community, including an on-call room, a delivery room, a neonatal room, a post-partum ward with three beds, a laboratory, a sample collection room, as well as a consulting room with ultrasound and monitoring equipment. It also has a three-bed pediatric monitoring ward to accommodate the youngest patients in the best possible conditions. There is also a new building for people accompanying patients who have come from far away.
The project aims to respond to local health challenges, including optimizing care for pregnant women and children and keeping infectious diseases away from vulnerable patients.
The center has also benefited from support from France’s “Appel Détresse” initiative to finance its state-of-the-art equipment.
Sister Rasoafara Noëlline, Director of the PRÉCI St. Anne Medical Center
Sister Rasoafara Noëlline, the center’s director, made an emotional statement: “I’m convinced that this medical center will become a focal point for the health of our community. A place where excellence in care, humanity, and innovation come together for everyone’s well-being.”
In his speech, the head of the Fokontany (village) said: “I invite the whole population to come and use the services of this center, because it was created for us.”
Opening of the Chemin Neuf Community school canteen
The Chemin Neuf Community’s new school canteen, a project financed by the Mérieux Foundation, was opened on February 17, 2025. Located at the community’s premises in Antsobolo-Antananarivo, the canteen is now a clean, functional place for welcoming the 100 beneficiary children who take their meals there every day apart from Saturdays and Sundays.
Previously, meals were served under a roof without walls, creating difficult logistical conditions. The new infrastructure includes 17 tables for six children each, a dedicated staff area, and a kitchen equipped to make meal organization easier. This project is part of the Mérieux Foundation’s long-standing support for the Community, which has also benefited from study grants and scholarships since 2007.
Teams from the Chemin Neuf Community, the construction company, the beneficiary children’s school management and the Mérieux Foundation
The project will provide pupils with a safe and healthy environment for their meals, and support their academic success throughout the year.
For the Mérieux Foundation, this is another step forward in its support for the Chemin Neuf Community with the aim of reinforcing access to high-quality education and providing these children with decent living conditions to help their development.
A representative of the beneficiary children said: “We would like to thank all the stakeholders who contributed to making this project a reality. We, the beneficiary children of the Chemin Neuf Community canteen, are very grateful for all the help and care you have given us.”
Distribution of soap to prevent infectious diseases
As part of its infectious disease prevention and health education initiatives, the Mérieux Foundation organized a major soap distribution campaign in Madagascar. A total of 12,000 bars of soap, 150 g each, were handed over to various partner associations to raise community awareness of essential preventive measures. This donation is a regular Mérieux Foundation initiative, part of its commitment to supporting the fight against the spread of infectious diseases, and particularly those affecting children and pregnant women.
The beneficiaries of this aid are local organizations working to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. They include associations such as Akamasoa, Île aux Enfants, Grandir Dignement, Graine de Bitume, Mivoatra, AIM (Akany Iarivo Mivoy), ONG MANDA, Centre NRJ (Nouveau Relais des Jeunes), and the Ambatofotsy Bemahatazana health center. These organizations play a crucial role in setting up awareness and support programs to improve hygiene and disease prevention.
Île aux Enfants beneficiary children
By donating these essential supplies, the Foundation is helping to strengthen the capacity of local associations and promote behavior conducive to public health among the most vulnerable populations. This simple but effective initiative is another contribution to the fight for better access to healthcare in Madagascar, particularly for mothers and children.
These four events illustrate the Mérieux Foundation’s ongoing work in Madagascar to improve access to quality healthcare as part of a global health approach. Thanks to strong partnerships with local organizations, the Foundation is helping to transform the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations, and particularly mothers and children.