Written by Charis Marshall (Volunteer)

Early in the morning of Monday 10th March, still bleary-eyed after getting up at the crack of dawn, I met the HoverAid team at a petrol station in central Antananarivo, excited to embark on a HoverAid Medical Mission. I was welcomed by the wonderful team leader Jasminah, a friendly, capable young woman about my age, and was introduced to some other members of the team- all young, enthusiastic Malagasy Ministry of Health professionals. We all piled into the 4×4 jeep and got to know each other using a mixture of English, French (mine was limited) and Malagasy (mine was even more limited!) to communicate! The long journey to the remote Mobile Medical Clinic had begun. 

We travelled for several hours down crazily long and bumpy roads, stopping off once on the way for mofogasy- sweet fried balls of rice flour and sugar, my favourite Malagasy snack! The further we travelled through the mountains, the worse the roads became and the fewer people we saw. I could see more clearly than ever why Madagascar needs HoverAid’s mobile clinics – for people living in remote villages, hospitals, doctors and medical care are totally inaccessible. They need people to bridge the gap and come to them – and reaching the unreachable is what HoverAid does best. 

As we drove into Ambohimarina, the village where the mobile clinic was, loads of kids ran excitedly to see our jeep! Clearly, people were happy to see us- which I later learned meant that HoverAid had been able to build up trust since the start of the mission. On arriving at the mobile clinic, we saw a whole range of vehicles and tents, all neatly set out to create a well organised clinic. There were two enormous red trucks which had transported all the equipment, a white marquee acting as a reception and a large, igloo-like tent where the consultations were held. There was even a whole row of tents where the team slept each night! 

I was amazed by the innovation of the whole operation- to fit so much advanced equipment into just 2 trucks and transport it down such difficult roads was an impressive feat indeed. On top of that, the HoverAid team had made a real sacrifice in leaving their homes and sleeping in tents for two weeks, and had done so with such willingness. Evidently, HoverAid’s work had been recognised and appreciated by the village- we already had a large group of patients waiting outside to be seen. 

I was shown around the consultation tent by a German doctor called Dr Fabian, a member of Medical Hilfe Madagascar (MHM). He explained to me that the Mobile Clinic was in fact a collaboration between HoverAid, providing transport, MHM, providing medical professionals and Deichmann, providing technology. I was amazed by the facilities and technology they were able to fit inside the tent – several separate consultation rooms, stretchers, air conditioning, even an ultrasound machine! It was like a TARDIS- seemingly bigger on the inside! 

Much of the technology was very different to what HoverAid’s patients were used to- one of the midwives told me about a pregnant woman who was overjoyed to see her baby for the very first time on the HoverAid ultrasound! Alongside these joyful stories, there were challenges too- I saw one of the doctors treating an extremely thin man who gave me permission to take his photograph. Apparently, he had various problems, including possible cancer, and the team were doing scans on him to identify what care he needed and how to reduce his pain, even if they may not be able to save his life. It was devastating to see his condition, and I was relieved he was being seen. 

Wanting to give the man and the other patients some privacy, I left the tent and got stuck in with some washing up of kitchen equipment. I figured that the best way to get to know the HoverAid team was to get involved myself, and I badly wanted to talk to them and see what motivated them through challenging circumstances. I ended up talking to a whole range of team members- drivers, doctors, midwives, anaesthetists and therapists. 

Many of the team mentioned that their Christian faith was a motivator for their work, and that they loved the way the work so clearly benefitted rural communities. Dr Fabian said that the highlight of the clinic for him was how motivated the Malagasy team were – they were all young, with lots of energy and a real desire to help. I could see just how true this was, and was amazed by the team, who were willingly sacrificing home comforts and time with family to serve people in need. 

One of the doctors, a guy called Riko, told me he loved the intensity of seeing and helping lots of patients, saying “I get grumpy when I’m not busy!” Apparently, each doctor saw an average of 60 patients per day. Another team member, an occupational therapist called Iovasoa, mentioned that she loved her job because she got to play with and help children. She showed me an amazing box of toys, language activities and fine motor skills activities, all of which she used to assess children with special needs and offer advice to them and their families. I also spoke with an anaesthetist named Tiavina who mentioned that high blood pressure and respiratory conditions from cooking with a fire were very common illnesses. HoverAid offered both education and practical supplies for the latter condition, prescribing a sabutemol inhaler and advice to cook with a chimney. 

I particularly enjoyed talking with one of the truck drivers, who introduced himself as Tonton René. Tonton is Malagasy for Uncle, and it was clear that he was like an uncle to everyone in the HoverAid team, cracking jokes and telling stories! He has worked for HoverAid for one year and really enjoys his job, especially since HoverAid are a Christian charity. He mentioned that because they travel to such remote areas, he and the team pray hard to find the sites and have a safe journey across such difficult roads. I was impressed by the whole team’s reliance on God and glad to hear of the strength and help He gives them. 

Looking to the future, I was pleased to hear that HoverAid were already planning future visits and MMCs in that village – while other NGOs might come once to a place and never again, HoverAid was clearly determined to ensure sustainability. According to the doctors, many patients either come to HoverAid too late for medicines to help, or come only once and not again. There is therefore a real need for continued MMCs and continued trusting relationships with communities, to encourage people to keep seeking help from HoverAid and get the vital care they need.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience at HoverAid’s Mobile Medical Clinic, and left with fresh conviction of the importance of their work. In reaching isolated, underserved communities, working with motivated Malagasy heath professionals, offering innovative medical care and relying on God all the way, HoverAid’s Mobile Medical Clinics meet a crucial need and follow Jesus’ example of serving the poor and excluded in society. I’m excited to continue following HoverAid’s work and will definitely keep them in my prayers!