Who Are We?
missions since 2014
consultations
We provide preventive medicine in remote areas of Madagascar
Founded in 2014, MEDICAERO is a French association that provides preventive medicine in remote areas of Madagascar using bush planes.
With the agreement and support of the Ministry of Health of Madagascar, we implement, in cooperation with central, regional, and local health authorities, a health monitoring plan for the benefit of isolated populations.
- Health monitoring and care
- Intervention and diagnostic missions
- Support for medical staff and students in training
- Participation in healthcare redeployment
- Creation of medical networks
Our Approach
Our approach is long-term, aiming to provide quality care to the population while supporting the creation of effective and operational local medical networks.
Provide Care
With an average of 800 consultations carried out during each mission, we work in a collaborative perspective, ensuring the transfer of knowledge to local medical staff. We also work in collaboration with other NGOs to cover several complementary aspects of health development.
Transmit Knowledge
Médicaéro works to revitalize the medical system in the most remote areas of the bush by supporting the establishment of young local doctors. By early 2025, 10 doctors had chosen to practice in the bush. From mission to mission, we update the medical knowledge of the youngest, thus strengthening their initial training and motivation.
Save Lives
In the social and health context of Madagascar, access to healthcare can not only save the lives of patients but also their families and future generations. A cataract operation allows a father to once again support his village, while saving a woman's life during childbirth preserves the future of her siblings and the entire family. Providing care and transmitting knowledge means saving lives and securing the future...
Our Method
MEDICAERO acts on several fronts to improve medical care and the health of populations in Madagascar.
Support for Local Medical Personnel
Support is provided by involving various stakeholders, including doctors, paramedics, and students in training. This commitment is based on establishing agreements with medical authorities to ensure effective and sustainable cooperation.
Headquarters agreement: January 16, 2023 – Convention renewed with the partnership directorate of the Ministry of Public Health.
The Airplane, a Vector of Proximity
We go directly to populations who cannot travel to healthcare centers. Thanks to air transport, a journey that would take twelve hours by land can be reduced to one hour by air, making interventions quicker and more effective. In this sense, Médicaéro offers proximity medicine that creates connections (networks).
The Creation of Medical Networks
The creation of medical networks plays a fundamental role in improving healthcare coverage. Partnerships are developed between Malagasy and French hospitals to strengthen local capacities and ensure better continuity of care, while respecting protocols in use.
The Development of Health Systems
This involves strengthening the general health status, encouraging the empowerment of populations and promoting the education of medical staff while consolidating healthcare structures. The long-term objective is to secure and guarantee a more stable healthcare future for the entire population.
A Transparent Association
Recipes
While the association’s activities are financed by donations from companies and individuals (36%), nothing would be possible without the involvement of volunteer doctors who fund their own travel and accommodation on-site.
Expenses
Nearly three-quarters of the association’s expenses are dedicated to transportation: plane tickets, medical supplies transport, bush plane, kerosene… Medical supplies represent 7% of expenses, reimbursements 19%, while the rest is allocated to accounting (1%) and administrative costs (insurance, phone, bank fees (2%).
A Reproducible Model
Since 2016, the project has allowed for the diversification of medical care offerings for the population of the Ampanihy district and laid the groundwork for reopening the operating theater.
The project’s ambition is not only to provide occasional aid, but above all to demonstrate that the concept of “Medicine by Air” is cost-effective and reproducible, allowing for a more economical and efficient use of humanitarian funds.
The strategic challenge is for the Malagasy Ministry of Health to recognize this approach as a complementary solution in its national health policies. If this model is adopted, it could be extended to all of Madagascar and attract the attention of donors for possible replication in other countries. This would represent a major step for humanitarian aviation in Africa.
The Médiacaéro Team
Jean-Jacques Dumesnil
President, Board Member
Françoise Soubrane
Dermatology - General Secretary, Board Member
Evelyne Boulenger
Treasurer, Board Member
Anne-Marie Dussaix
Board Member
Isabelle Durand
Pediatric Cardiology - Board Member
Sylvie Ducrotté
Gynecology - Board Member
Denis Gruber
Ophthalmology - Board Member
François Alexandre
Board Member
Brigitte Lugand
Gynecology - Board Member
