Project First Breath: Madagascar
Problem
As the landmark Lancet study and several global health experts have made clear, 5 billion people (66% of the world’s population) do not have access to safe and affordable essential surgical care. That means that mothers might die in childbirth, every occurrences of appendicitis can be deadly for children, and broken bones can mean permanent disability. These basic life-saving and life-altering surgical procedures are routine in hospitals in wealthy countries.
Madagascar is one of the many countries of the Global South with a critical lack of essential surgery capacity. Of its population of 21million, including – children, the overwhelming majority do not have adequate access to safe, basic surgical care.
WCI’s Solution in partnership with Operation Smile
Our most comprehensive initiative to date with the resourcing of the maternity hospital in the capital, Antananarivo, Madagascar. Your support allows WCI to focus all three of our projects in a concerted effort to the benefit of women and children at the facility.
Ultrasound Project : We can reduce women and infant mortality and morbidity by providing handheld ultrasound devices that allows for bedside imaging and more immediate diagnoses that results in earlier life-saving treatments.
Leadership Development Series (LDS): We are evolving our leadership curriculum to focus on next generation doctors including OBGYNs and hospital administrators at the maternity hospital. This structure is designed to train next generation local leaders who will be directly responsible for delivering patient care.
Operating Room Modernization: Our most recent project outfitting operating rooms with equipment, product and supplies, greatly increases surgical safety, efficiency and capacity.
Bringing Ultrasound to the Point of Care
Developing Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
Strengthening Surgical Care
Strengthening Surgical Care
Some items include:
Gynecological and obstetrical operating table
Ceiling-mounted double-dome LED surgical light
Anesthesia ventilator
Autoclave
High-frequency generator with vessel sealing capability
Industrial washing machine (18 kg)
Instrument washer-disinfector
Electric mucus suction device
Surgical suction machine
Mobile anesthesia cart
Multiparameter patient monitor
WCI will help equip and modernize hospital operating rooms with essential surgical supplies and equipment, enabling physicians and nurses to performance life-saving procedures more safely and effectively.
The first pilot hospital we will be partnering with is the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Gynecologie-Obstetrique de Befelatanana (CHUGOB). We are committed to strengthening surgical infrastructure and implementing new handheld ultrasound technology to help reduce maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, while improving the health and well-being of mothers and children.
Bringing Ultrasound to the Point of Care
Typically, patients in Madagascar may spend 10–30% of their monthly income on a single ultrasound exam. Hospitals often have limited equipment and a shortage of physicians trained in imaging, making ultrasound technology inaccessible to many patients.
WCI has provided handheld ultrasound devices that connect directly to tablets, placing powerful diagnostic technology into the hands of clinicians at the bedside. These portable tools will allow doctors to detect maternal and fetal complications earlier, intervene more quickly, and significantly reduce preventable illness and death. As of 2026, three devices have been deployed. In addition to the devices, WCI Clinical Advisory Board members provide training support to local doctors as they integrate the portable ultrasound devices into their patient care process.
Developing Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
WCI will continue its highly successful Healthcare Leadership Development Program, designed to empower emerging physician leaders with the skills and confidence to transform their institutions and communities.
This year’s program will include obstetricians, gynecologists, and senior medical staff from the women’s hospital—equipping them to lead meaningful change long after our mission is complete.
Impact
Sustainable, locally-led, access to safe, essential surgical care in Madagascar
A strong partnership with the Malagasy government that will ensure funding and support for essential surgeries
Millions of children and families able to live longer, work productively, and play harder
A model for sustainable, safe, essential surgery development for Africa & other countries around the globe