Madagascar is facing significant challenges in its health care system, due to the high prevalence of infectious diseases in the country, particularly neglected tropical diseases. Many of these diseases occur simultaneously and have chronic manifestations, imposing a huge burden on the population. It is therefore vitally important to have a strong public health and laboratory system in place so that the country can respond to and deal with such public health emergencies and epidemics in a reliable and timely way. However, the current health care system is characterised by a high degree of centralisation and a shortage of qualified personnel, leading to inequities in health service delivery. The capacity strengthening projects of the Fusco group together with the partners in Madagascar and beyond aim to strengthen the public health and laboratory infrastructure in Madagascar.
