Madagascar

Madagascar launches UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

Madagascar is extending the prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programme to 220 health centres and 20 hospitals around the country. The announcement was made at the country’s launch of UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS.

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, 25 October 2005 – At the launch of UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS in Madagascar, the government announced that it will extend the prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programme to 220 health centres and 20 hospitals around the country by the end of the year. This is all part of the national effort to fight HIV/AIDS.

The Campaign launch was a joint effort between the Ministry of Health, the National Council on AIDS, the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and various other partners. The event took place in a health centre in Isotry, a poor area of the capital Antananarivo. Afterwards, the Minister of Health handed over the equipment needed to run the PMTCT programme to the head of the health centre.

Also as part of the effort against AIDS, the Ministry of Education will be launching educational programmes in secondary schools later this year, and is currently preparing programmes for elementary schools.

Go to the Campaign website for more information on the global launch of UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS and other worldwide events.