In Madagascar, daily life brings exposure to the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis, via contaminated water. Also known as bilharzia, it has serious long-term health consequences. It harms children’s educations and adults’ capacity to earn a living. Since 2013, Madagascar’s Unlimit Health-supported treatment programme has contributed to a significant recorded drop in the proportion of the population infected. But 18 million people still require regular treatment to end the disease for good.

We will support the Madagascar Ministry of Health to provide safe and effective treatment for schistosomiasis for up to 650,000 school-aged children in 19 health districts where infection remains severe. Treating this group protects the children themselves but also helps reduce transmission in the community overall. The project will train local community members to administer deworming drugs to children and ensure high uptake through community awareness campaigns.