We are pleased to share a personal account from Remi Delforge, following his recent visit to Madagascar, where he had the opportunity to discover the remarkable humanitarian and healthcare initiatives developed by the Akbaraly Foundation. The visit offered first-hand insight into the Foundation’s work and its contribution to improving access to essential healthcare.
Just returned from an unforgettable experience in Madagascar.
The trip was organised by Cinzia Catalfamo Akbaraly, who has been living in Madagascar for over 30 years. Cinzia is the founder of the Akbaraly Foundation, which develops and supports a number of sustainable humanitarian initiatives in Madagascar and other regions facing extreme poverty.
During our visit, we had the opportunity to discover the Foundation’s newly opened health centre in Antananarivo, offering a wide range of essential medical services.
One of the Foundation’s major priorities is the prevention of breast and gynaecological cancers. During Octobre Rose, its awareness and screening campaign reached an extraordinary milestone of over 15,000 women screened.
I was particularly struck by the scale of the challenge. Breast and uterus cancers represent a major public health issue in Africa, where late diagnosis and limited access to screening and treatment have devastating consequences.
I was equally impressed by the dedication and work of the Foundation’s General Manager, Dr Francesco Cimino. A paediatric surgeon by training, he combines his hospital work with missions throughout the country, where he operates on children suffering from leg and foot deformities caused by malnutrition. These operations are provided free of charge to families who cannot afford medical care — which unfortunately represents the vast majority of the population.
Our small group included two other lawyers, and we were all deeply impressed by what the Foundation has achieved: tangible results in disease prevention, improved access to healthcare and, above all, meaningful progress towards making the right to health a reality in Madagascar, where access to such care remains far from guaranteed.
Behind these remarkable achievements lies the commitment and generosity of the Akbaraly family, together with the support of its donors and contributors.
If you would like to support the Foundation’s work or discover Madagascar through one of the inspiring trips organised by Cinzia, you will find the relevant link below:
