A call for solidarity to afford medical treatment has become the fate of many, particularly artists and those suffering from chronic illnesses. Following Éric and Honorat from the group Fou Hehy, the iconic singer of the group Mahaleo, Bekoto, is now forced to follow the same path. Victim of a violent assault in 2023, Bekoto requires urgent specialized care abroad. He has been there since the Mahaleo Taranaka tour, during which Dama, the group’s leader, revealed the unfortunate news.
While artists can rely on their popularity and the support of fans and public authorities, this is not the case for everyone. The requirements and formalities for medical evacuation are notoriously complicated. The process becomes even more difficult if an organ transplant is needed, as finding a donor involves strict conditions.
The high cost of treating chronic diseases makes the saying “health is wealth” take on a cynical meaning: health is reserved for the rich. This is the daily reality in public health centers, where patients are forced to return home due to a lack of funds or die in silence. The situation is further exacerbated by the soaring prices of medicines, often blamed on currency fluctuations or global conflicts—excuses frequently used to justify price hikes.
It is a paradox of our globalized society that treatment and care are most expensive in poor countries, where the share of GDP invested in health is the lowest. In these nations, priority is often given to renovating government vehicle fleets over equipping health centers, and budgets for defense and political institutions far outweigh those for public health.
Unless priorities are fundamentally shifted, the situation will not improve. While new health centers are occasionally inaugurated, they are rarely part of a comprehensive social protection policy. If we continue to provide only minimum services in this crucial sector, we will make no progress, and Bekoto will not be the last to send out an SOS for his survival.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-30 05:38:46 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/sante-passe-richesse.html