Mobile health and nutrition teams work to reach every child in remote southeastern Madagascar
Ensuring access to adequate nutrition and healthcare for children presents a significant challenge for healthcare workers in the most hard-to-reach communities.
The aftermath of cyclones in 2022 and 2023 continues to be felt in southeastern region in Madagascar, with 115,000 children requiring treatment for moderate to severe acute malnutrition in 2023. In the Atsimo Atsinanana region, the rate of acute malnutrition stands at 12.4%, surpassing the national average of 7.7%.
In light of this reality, mobile teams are indispensable, especially when communities are in inaccessible areas. But who are they? They are healthcare workers who journey to remote villages to meet communities. They identify malnutrition cases, provide care for malnourished children, and educate parents on good nutritional practices.
From the left to right, Edith, 31, Alexia, 28 and Rocklain, 33, form the mobile team of the Farafangana region, southeastern of Madagascar, supported by UNICEF. They are travelling to the village of Miarinarivo in the southeast region to identify and address cases of malnutrition.
The team collects the vaccines and necessary materials from the town’s health center , from where they’ll walk 7 kilometers to reach Miarinarivo village.
The team takes a break. "We don't bring food from home because we leave Farafangana around 6 a.m. We eat whatever we find along the way, whether it's fruits or something else," explains Alexia.
The team boards a boat to cross the Menagnivo river, joined by community members carrying boxes of therapeutic food to help malnourished children regain their health.
An hour later, the team is still trudging through mud. As former Farafangana hospital volunteers, they are used to confronting challenges. 'We visit this village twice a month. We're used to the fatigue,' Rocklain says with a smile
Rocklain carries a cool box which keeps the vaccines at the recommended temperature while helping Alexia out of the mud.
The community members carry boxes of the therapeutic food known as PlumpyNut as it resembles peanut butter.
An hour and a half later, the mobile team arrives at Miarinarivo, where the community has been patiently waiting. The team set up equipment for malnutrition screening, treatment, vaccinations, and family planning.
Alexia is measuring a child's mid-upper arm circumference. She uses a graduated and colored tape designed to identify if the child is suffering from malnutrition.
Edith injects a woman who has opted for family planning. "I've always wanted to be a doctor or midwife. I'm the first in my family to work in healthcare," she says.
Rocklain distributes PlumpyNut to the mothers of children who are still undergoing treatment. 52 children were screened that day.
Rocklain measures the child’s height. "Despite the obstacles and fatigue, helping children motivates me," he says. "I've seen some in the worst conditions, now healed."
Four hours after their arrival to the village, they finish and start their journey back. "Regardless of gender, we all perform the same tasks with love," says Alexia with a smile.
Supported by ECHO, CERF, USAID, BHA, the governments of Japan and Ireland, and the German National Committee for UNICEF, UNICEF can reach the most isolated areas, mobilizing healthcare workers to ensure every child receives proper nutrition and care.
For every child, a team.
