Status of the epidemic
The prevalence rate in Madagascar is among the lowest in Africa, but specialists commonly agree that, unfortunately, all the “ingredients” are gathered to cause the virus to spread in a spectacular way: low level of education (5 out of 10 people have received no education [1], 4 put of 10 have received only primary education, 1 out of 10 secondary and 1 out of 100 has been to university), poverty (per capita GDP in 2004: US$ 266) which affects 71% of the population. Owing to those factors, a large fraction of the population is found in a vulnerable situation with regard to HIV/AIDS.
And indeed, if the first HIV/AIDS infected cases were discovered in 1987, the prevalence rate has been regularly going up to reach 1.1% in 2003. This is also attributed to the high percentage - 4% - of sexually transmissible infections, thus creating a favourable ground for the rapid expansion of the virus. In fact, a high STI prevalence signifies risky sexual behaviours on the one hand, and, on the other hand, constitutes a fertile soil where HIV transmission risks will multiply.
The present trend therefore creates fear of an outbreak with devastating humanitarian, social and economic consequences.
The national strategy
The National Plan against AIDS has been set up since 1988. In 2000, Madagascar established a National Coordination Unit (CNN) for all actions against AIDS, attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. The creation of the unit, which comprises representatives of the public and the private sectors, the civil society, NGOs and groups at risk, proves that a sector-based approach is being advocated. Since October 2002, coordination of the national response is being ensured by the National Commission against AIDS. The World Bank has signed a second multi-sector-based HIV/AIDS prevention project for
Madagascar to the tune of 30 million dollars (2005-2009).
The private sector
Textile companies were the first to set up awareness programmes in collaboration with health facilities OSTIE and OMSI. The employees were quite young and poorly educated.
The Ministry of Industrial Development, Trade and Private Sector Development (MICDSP) wished to set the example as it has launched, throughout the island, an awareness programme for the entire staff of the Ministry, of the public institutions operating under its supervision as well as the attached agencies.
There is no formal business coalition against AIDS in Madagascar, not even in the margin of the Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar (GEM). There are, however, 12 groupings and sector-based national unions, 5 regional ones, 45 directly affiliated companies (700 companies in all).
A few companies are carrying out AIDS programmes: AIRMADA, BNI (BNP-Paribas), the Société Générale de Surveillance, the SICAM (CFAO group)...
Since 2005, CNLS (National Commission against AIDS) has been organising meetings, on a regular basis, with the following companies:
Air Madagascar
BMICL (CALYON)
EPSILON
KALANA
MADACOM
ORANGE
TOTAL
UNIMA
CNLS wishes that this coalition could expand and assume an official status.
Contact:
Dr Benjamin Ravelonjato, Officer in charge of Support to the private sector SE/CNLS
bravelonjato@yahoo.fr
Te : 261-020 24 235 18
Mobile: 261-32 02 381 73
SIDA-ENTREPRISES member companies in Madagascar
CFAO : SICAM
BNP Paribas
Crédit Agricole
Gras Savoye : Gras Savoye - BSA Mada
Latest update:October 2006
[1] The figures quoted are derived from the National Strategic Plan against AIDS 2001-2006 – Presidency of the Republic. 
