ANTANANARIVO — The U.S. Government, through the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), together with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health has officially launched the Accessible Continuum of Care and Essential Services Sustained (ACCESS) Activity —a five-year, $90-million health program that aims to improve and expand health services for the Malagasy people.

The ACCESS program will increase the availability of quality health services, improve health infrastructure, strengthen the capacity of the Malagasy health system, and promote healthy behaviors among Malagasy communities. Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a U.S.-based nonprofit global health organization with a long history of work in Madagascar, is leading the activity, with the support of several local and international partner organizations.

In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar, Michael Pelletier, emphasized that, “The ACCESS health program is the largest health project the United States has ever funded in Madagascar, and continues the strong partnership between our two countries. Together, we will save lives, empower communities, and promote sustainable solutions.”

Nearly 16 million people will benefit from the ACCESS program, which will conduct activities in 10 regions (Atsinanana, Vatovavy Fitovinany, Atsimo Andrefana, Menabe, Melaky, Boeny, Sofia, Diana, Sava and Analanjirofo) to achieve three main objectives:

1. Quality health services are sustainably available and accessible to all Malagasy communes in the targeted regions,
2. Health systems function effectively to support quality health service delivery, and
3. The Malagasy people sustainably adopt healthy behaviors and social norms.

The ACCESS program will provide family planning and reproductive health services in the regions of Vakinakaratra, Amoron’i Mania, and Haute Matsiatra.

Through the ACCESS program, the U.S. Government will support the Government of Madagascar to accelerate sustainable health impacts for the Malagasy people and strengthen the Ministry of Public Health’s stewardship of the health sector, contributing to Madagascar’s development journey.

About USAID Madagascar

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the U.S. Government’s preeminent foreign assistance agency. USAID Madagascar officially opened its field office in September of 1984. In 2018, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided approximately $80 million in development assistance plus $24.5 million in emergency assistance to the Malagasy people, with programs that include investments in health, food security, environment, and governance programs. For more information on USAID Madagascar and our projects, visit www.usaid.gov/madagascar.