Madagascar has one of the highest rates of extreme poverty globally, with 92% of the population living on less than USD 2 per day. The country was also endemic to three neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and lymphatic filariasis. The national NTD program was led and managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to ensure school-age children were reached effectively through coordinated health and education sector efforts.

In line with this nationwide campaign, Dubai Cares The program in partnership with the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) and a local partner, aimed to ensure that all school-age children at risk of intestinal worms and schistosomiasis received deworming treatment. The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) was complemented by water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities and training to help mitigate the risk of reinfection. These WASH interventions reinforced the program’s efforts to improve overall health and hygiene conditions for children.