The 74th mission of the humanitarian NGO ‘Médecins de l’océan Indien’ (Indian Ocean Doctors) lasted ten days at the Toliara Hospital and the Mitsinjo Betanimena University Hospital. A total of 13,785 consultations were carried out by these volunteer doctors, led by 87-year-old Reunionese surgeon Dr. Firoze Koytcha. Ninety-six patients underwent surgical procedures, 940 babies and young children were examined, and nearly 4,000 people received general medical care or specialized consultations in fields such as ENT, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and cardiology.
For cardiology, about 500 patients were seen during the ten-day period. A 48-year-old mother, who queued at the Tanambao Hospital cardiology department, shared, ‘I had a heart ultrasound and an electrocardiogram done on-site. The doctor prescribed a new medication called Acshalos-H to replace the Almlozar I had been taking for years, to help lower my blood pressure, which was stuck at 15/10.’ Cardiology is a specialty currently unavailable in Toliara, usually requiring travel to Fianarantsoa or Antananarivo for examination.
During each mission, the Indian Ocean Doctors organization collaborates with local doctors and interns. A general practitioner and three interns from Tanambao Hospital worked alongside the Indo-Pakistani cardiologist, who provided on-the-job training during consultations. Dr. Firoze Koytcha noted that each multidisciplinary humanitarian mission requires at least 80,000 euros and 25 tons of technical equipment and medical supplies. He expressed his deep gratitude to the youth and the ‘Karana’ community of Toliara for their unparalleled cooperation and support in ensuring the mission’s success.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-20 05:38:33 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/medecins-de-locean-indien-pres-de.html