Ambatomitsangana Basic Health Centre
inauguration: May 6, 2024 🎉

BRIEF PROJECT OUTLINE:

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Rationale: 

Conditions for the population of Ambatomitsangana are typical of those in rural communities in that they have never had access to proper sanitation or safe, clean drinking water. The majority of people in this particularly poor and deprived farming community live in harsh and primitive conditions, and make their living from agriculture and cattle raising.

The population of Ambatomitsangana have for several decades suffered from limited access to medical treatment. In their desperation the villagers recently constructed a building they hoped would serve as a Heath Center. But it does not satisfy the Ministry of Heath’s standards or specifications, and permission to open it has been refused.

The women, children and expectant mothers of Ambatomitsangana are particularly vulnerable when they have need of urgent medical attention. The nearest health centres are located in Morarano and Ambohitrambo, both 10 kms away, and  Imerintsiatosika, 20 kms away. Due to extreme poverty most patients are obliged to make this journey on foot. But they face many dangers, particularly at night, and it is unrealistic to expect expectant mothers to undertake such a journey in the late stages of pregnancy. Consequently  many of them place their lives and those of their unborn babies in the hands of untrained, ill equipped Traditional Birth Attendants who are unable to deal with emergency situations. The villagers are discouraged from self-medication and advised not to rely on  traditional birth attendants, both of which are not without risk. But they have no choice.  A trained midwife recently came to live close by, which has been a great relief to the population. But she has only limited equipment, and expectant mothers with complications are referred to the nearest, far distant  Health Centre – which all too often ends in tragedy. .

Those villagers too ill to undertake the journey on foot have to be carried on a stretcher. But this is not only exhausting and uncomfortable but dangerous, particularly during the rainy season when the dirt tracks they have to take  become slippery 

The population of Ambatomitsangana has great need for improved access to maternity and health care - to reduce the high level of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality and treat the most common ailments of high blood pressure, diarrhea, malaria, flu and respiratory infections.

The absence of easy and low cost health care for the population of Ambatomitsangana causes great suffering and hardship in their daily lives. A Health Centre would enable them to receive effective treatment in due time, and enable pregnant women to give birth in dignity, safely and in hygienic conditions..

Concerned by the seriousness and urgency of the situation, members of the community have sought MDF’s help in accessing finance to build and equip a basic health center.

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Main Outputs:

• Reduce the high rate of mortality and morbidity due to complications in pregnancy and the most prevalent illnesses – including hypertension, malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory infections;

• Put an end to the number of premature births and deaths that occur during the journey to seek medical assistance;

• Put an end to the need for the long journeys undertaken by pregnant women and seriously ill patients needing medical help;

• Improve the level of support for the most vulnerable community members;