<p>In Ikongo district, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is providing health and nutritional care, people are struggling with a dual crisis of malaria and malnutrition, worsened by geographical challenges. Children under five are particularly at risk of complications. According to USAID, malaria affects around 7.5 per cent of children under five in the country.</p><h3>Rainy season impedes healthcare access</h3><p>The malaria peak season coincides with the cyclone and rainy season, from October to May. During this time, it becomes extremely difficult for people to access health centres, leading people to only seek medical care when their health has deteriorated to a critical condition. This also puts the lives of malnourished children at even greater risk.</p><p><a href="https://www.msf.org/malaria-rise-healthcare-out-reach-madagascar">Read more</a></p>

Medecins sans Frontieres - Madagascar is one of the countries most affected by malaria. According to the Ministry of Public Health, the reported number of malaria cases in 2023 exceeded the national epidemic threshold: 2.8 million cases and 400 deaths were recorded, compared to 1.7 million in 2022.