Ida Françoise, the face of Covid-19 prevention in remote Madagascar

Equipped with her megaphone, Ida Françoise, a 56-year-old health worker is working hard to prevent COVID-19 from arriving in Betroka, a very remote district in southern Madagascar. Since June, she has been leading 15 local health workers to mobilize local communities with a population of more than 200,000 people.

Despite the challenges she faces every day – many of them unrelated to Covid-19, such as local insecurity, widespread poverty, and inadequate health services, each day Ida Francoise put on her community service blouse with pride.

Betroka has no COVID-19 cases. That is why community mobilization activities are very important to protect local population. Due to its remote location, Betroka is facing big challenges in terms of health services as the biggest hospital which can treat COVID-19 cases is in Fort Dauphin, a 14-hour drive away along an almost impassable road.  

UNICEF, together with local partners, has trained community health workers in three remote districts in southern parts of Madagascar as key partners in its COVID-19 response. The main strategy has been to strengthen community mobilization and empowerment by targeting popular, open places.

In early June, community health workers were trained with various communication for development tools. After a one-day training, they are provided with megaphone to enable them to conduct outdoor activities while maintaining social distancing. Daily awareness-raising activities in communities include different methods of prevention, such as social distancing and handwashing, the fight against community stigma, and the promotion of essential health services, and stress management. Community health workers go as a group to areas popular with the public so they can reach as many people as possible. 

Ida Francoise has been a community health worker for 8 years. She is used to doing home-visits and sensitization in public places and has been engaged during child and maternal health week supported by UNICEF over the years in Madagascar.

With the thousands of kilometers covered by Ida in her fight against COVID-19, she has become a local hero who never stops, Since June, no COVID-19 cases has been found in Betroka thanks, in part, to her devotion and engagement. “I take pride in my role in this fight and I’m happy that even though no active cases have been detected, everyone is aware on what they need to do to protect themselves,” explains Ida.

“I am happy when I see people listening and respecting the prevention measures. Whenever we go out, we have the feeling that we’re being heard. That fills me with gratitude,” she explained. 

The local chief of the health center in Betroka recognizes the important role played by the community health workers. “Ida is a leader and engages well with others,” said Dr Tolo-draza Julson, who says his works is made much easier as a result of their efforts.