State must take responsibility

The migration of Malagasy doctors abroad is alarming, as these healthcare professionals demand greater attention.

The exodus of Malagasy doctors to foreign countries is undeniable, according to medical professors. « My experience shows that we can conduct our research in Madagascar », stated Professor Fahafahantsoa.

This brain drain is particularly damaging in specialized fields, where gaps are becoming more pronounced. In Madagascar, only about ten qualified interns are recruited annually into public hospitals. Many leave for opportunities abroad, some returning temporarily to complete their theses before departing again. Overseas opportunities are enticing, with salaries that are 25 to 50 times higher than in Madagascar. Industrialized regions such as Europe and America are no longer the only destinations for these graduates.

Some migrate to African nations like Mali, where nurses earn three times the salaries of Malagasy doctors, or to the Comoros, where pay is six to seven times higher. To counter this migration, doctors are urging the government to take responsibility and implement measures to address the issue.