Signing of a structuring partnership between the University of Reunion Island and the University of Antananarivo for the development of general medicine in the Indian Ocean

A four-party agreement was signed in Antananarivo between the University of Reunion Island, the University of Antananarivo, the National College of General Practitioner Teachers (CNGE), and the College of General Practitioner Teachers of the Indian Ocean (CGEOI). This agreement marks a major step in strengthening university and healthcare cooperation at the regional level.

The signing took place in the presence of Professor Rivoarison Randrianasolo, President of the University of Antananarivo, Professor Willy Franck Randriamarotia, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Antananarivo, Professor Jean-Marc Franco, University Professor of General Medicine and Director of the University Department of General Medicine at the University of Reunion, representing the President of the University of Reunion, as well as Dr. Vanessa Palma, Associate Lecturer in General Medicine.

A partnership dedicated to training and primary care

This agreement aims to structure the exchange of medical students between Réunion and Madagascar. Students from Réunion and France will be able to complete community-based general practice placements in Madagascar, particularly in basic health centers (CSB2) and occupational health facilities. In return, Malagasy students will be able to participate in general practice placements in Réunion.

Beyond student mobility, this partnership contributes to the development of community general medicine in Madagascar, particularly through the training of internship supervisors, the co-construction of educational content and support for local healthcare structures.

Cooperation that is part of a large-scale international program

This agreement is part of the RHS Madagascar project – Strengthening human resources in health, a three-year program aimed at sustainably strengthening initial and continuing training as well as human resources management in health in Madagascar.

The implementation of this project is made possible thanks to funding from Expertise France, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency Group, within the framework of The Initiative. It brings together several major institutional partners, including the Malagasy Ministry of Public Health, the Faculty of Medicine of Antananarivo, the AMC-MAD association, Santé Sud, the University Hospital of Reunion Island and the University of Reunion Island.

This program also includes support for the creation or rehabilitation of community health centers, as well as the deployment of training and support actions for health professionals.

A structuring project for the University of Reunion Island

For the University of Reunion Island, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen its regional roots, develop structuring international cooperation and actively contribute to the improvement of health systems in its geographical environment.

It will also be accompanied by a research component aimed at analyzing and documenting the effects of this cooperation, particularly through qualitative approaches focusing on training practices, the experiences of stakeholders and the transformations of primary care.

The realization of this project relies on a strong collective dynamic. It was made possible in particular thanks to the commitment of institutional partners and the decisive support of Christophe Vanhecke, regional advisor for global health at the French Embassy in Madagascar.

This partnership illustrates the commitment of the University of Reunion to ambitious regional university cooperation, serving education, research and the health of populations.