ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar is strengthening rural healthcare through a new initiative aimed at improving access to reliable medical oxygen at community health facilities.

The Access Oxygen programme, developed with Air Liquide, is being deployed across eight primary health centres in the Antsirabe region, south of Antananarivo. The facilities collectively serve around 215,000 people.

Many rural health centres face difficulties obtaining a dependable oxygen supply despite oxygen being essential for treating patients with serious respiratory conditions and supporting emergency and maternal healthcare.

The programme combines improved oxygen availability with training for local healthcare workers, helping staff use oxygen therapy safely and effectively.

Expanding medical oxygen infrastructure could significantly strengthen Madagascar's rural healthcare capacity, particularly for communities located far from major hospitals.

The initiative also highlights the importance of improving basic medical infrastructure alongside broader efforts to expand access to quality healthcare across Madagascar.