05:00
SOLIDARITY TOURISM
19 issuing tour operators from France came to discover the destination Madagascar to promote it to tourists, and carried out a social action in the Itasy Region. They distributed school kits to the Public Primary School (EPP) in Moratsiazo, in the commune of Ampefy. “This action is part of their vision of responsible tourism, where traveling goes hand in hand with sharing and contributing to the human and economic development of local communities,” says the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts. The department adds that this gesture perfectly illustrates the role that tourism can play in the social and educational development of the Region.
06:00
MALAGASY NY ANTSIKA
12 new products from four companies that are members of the Syndicat des Industries de Madagascar (SIM) have been certified as “Malagasy Ny Antsika”. With these new certifications, this label currently has a total of 526 certified products. The “Malagasy Ny Antsika” label is a collective brand managed by SIM. It encourages the consumption of locally manufactured products, thus supporting the national economy, job creation, and rural and urban communities. The awarding of the “Malagasy Ny Antsika” label is based on a rigorous process, reflecting SIM’s commitment to promoting high standards of quality, ethics, and sustainability. These products, manufactured locally in Madagascar, offer guaranteed traceability, allowing consumers to easily identify their origin in case of doubt or problem, according to the explanations. Thanks to the “Malagasy Ny Antsika” certification, these products have undergone rigorous quality audits conducted by the Madagascar Standards Bureau (BNM), significantly reducing health risks, according to SIM. It is worth noting that the specifications of the “Malagasy Ny Antsika” label have recently been updated. Now, SIM’s certification program includes, in addition to industrial products, services, the artisanal sector, and the agricultural sector. This evolution reflects SIM’s desire to promote a wider range of actors contributing to local economic development, according to the explanation.
11:00
PEST
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Madagascar is currently one of the three endemic countries for the plague, accounting for more than 90% of global cases. However, current treatments are based on limited evidence, as no clinical trial on the plague had previously been successful. The IMASOY trial (Isika Mitsabo tArimo ho an’ny SOa Iombonana), conducted in Madagascar, was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of two 10-day treatments included in national and international guidelines, one oral and the other involving injectable treatment. Over five successive transmission seasons, between February 2020 and March 2024, the trial was deployed at 87 sites in Madagascar, including Basic Health Centers (CSB 1 and CSB 2) and District Reference Hospitals (CHRD), in 11 districts that reported cases of plague in the past 10 years. During the last season, approximately 230 doctors and nurses, as well as 1,300 community agents, participated. IMASOY has become the first successful randomized controlled trial on the treatment of bubonic plague, with 450 recruited cases including 222 confirmed or probable cases, according to the Institut Pasteur of Madagascar. Systematic collection of clinical and biological data also allowed for the evaluation of diagnostic tests currently used in Madagascar.
15:29
COMMUNAL AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
The voter turnout for the communal and municipal elections remains low in the polling stations observed by the Safidy Electoral Observatory, although it has slightly increased compared to the 2019 communal elections. It stands at 39.3% compared to 33.3% in the previous elections. The participation rate is higher and exceeds 45% in the regions of Androy (54.8%), Fitovinany (47.8%), and Atsimo Atsinanana (47.4%), while it is lower and below 30% in the regions of Ihorombe (27%) and Diana (28.7%). It should be noted that the official participation rate will be published by the National Independent Electoral Commission (Ceni). According to Safidy, the communal and municipal elections illustrate the strengthening of the ruling party’s power, “Isika rehetra miaraka amin’i Andry Rajoelina” (IRMAR), which is deploying a massive strategy to consolidate its local presence with national coverage, while opposition parties, although divided, are trying to revitalize their presence through their original party to counterbalance the dominance of the presidential coalition. However, internal tensions and disagreements within the opposition, exacerbated by rivalries over candidate selection, weaken their cohesion and compromise their ability to present a united front against the incumbent power.
18:00
NOSY BE AIRPORT
Nosy Be Airport is operational again as of this Saturday morning. No damage has been observed after inspection, reports Ravinala Airports. It should be noted that Fascene Airport was temporarily closed due to the passage of Cyclone Chido in order to ensure the safety of all passengers, personnel, and infrastructure.