3 in 5 Births at Home? Madagascar Offers Free Maternal Care 

In Madagascar, three out of five deliveries happen at home, often without skilled birth attendants. This lack of access to medical professionals significantly increases the risk of complications and death for mothers, especially when emergency obstetric care is scarce, and further compounded by too few ambulances in rural areas.

However, a beacon of hope has emerged. With support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and funding from the Government of Japan, the Ambovombe Regional Referral Hospital has become a lifeline for mothers in need. The hospital provides specialized care and facilities, including ambulances and a team of skilled medical staff.

Dr. Sadoscar Hakizimana, a UNFPA expert, says the vital importance of timely medical intervention. He highlights the hospital's success in offering comprehensive maternal healthcare, including emergency obstetric care and fistula repair surgeries. UNFPA's collaboration with other UN agencies has transformed the hospital into a specialized facility offering free services, eliminating financial barriers that might prevent women from seeking care.