Madagascar: Where Climate, Crisis, and Humanity Converge
This year, EP expands its global health mission to the extraordinary landscapes of southern Madagascar through a new partnership with Centre Medical de Taolagnaro. From remote coastal communities to regions shaped by severe drought and food insecurity, Madagascar remains one of the most beautiful and medically underserved places on Earth.
Southern Madagascar has drawn global attention in recent years after becoming associated with what many described as the world’s first climate change-induced famine, while the country also remains one of the few places where outbreaks of bubonic plague still occur. At the same time, Madagascar continues to struggle with some of the world’s most challenging maternal and child health outcomes, including maternal mortality estimated near 400 deaths per 100,000 live births and under-five mortality exceeding 60 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Beyond individual missions, this partnership also opens the door for ongoing volunteer opportunities with the clinic year-round, creating a unique pathway for EP clinicians, students, and supporters to contribute meaningfully in one of the most fascinating and challenging healthcare environments in the world. Madagascar is a place of staggering biodiversity, resilient communities, and immense medical need — and we are incredibly excited for what this partnership can become.
Through this collaboration, EP volunteers will help provide clinical care while launching a new ultrasound initiative. In addition to bedside ultrasound training, the program will introduce Butterfly’s new AI-assisted “blind sweep” obstetric ultrasound technology for midwives and local clinicians — expanding access to maternal imaging in areas where formal ultrasound services may otherwise be unavailable.
