“From Fear to Caution: Overcoming the Health Care Crisis in Madagascar”
Date
2024-04-05
Authors
Razakamanana, Marilys Victoire
Rakotonirainy, Miora
Ramiandrisoa, Tiarinisaina Olivier
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
SDG 3 is aimed at “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Yet, despite the fact that the covid pandemic affected everybody, it did not increase access to health care services. Indeed, during the COVID-19 pandemic,fear of contracting the virus and restrictions on movement of people led to a decrease in the use of healthcare services in Madagascar. People who displayed obvious symptoms such as fever, received immediate treatment, but those that displayed symptoms not directly related to COVID-19, such as diarrhoea, avoided going to receive treatment at healthcare facilities out of fear. However, as it had been observed during previous pandemics like Ebola, for example, the decrease in the use of healthcare facilities was followed by an increase in morbidity and mortality through diseases that are unrelated to Ebola, such as diarrhoea.