Embassy of India

Antananarivo, Madagascar

An advanced digital cobalt therapy machine, Bhabhatron-II was inaugurated at the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Hospital (HJRA) in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar by the Hon’ble President of the Republic of Madagascar H.E. Andry Rajoelina today, in presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Public Health Professor Jean Louis Hanitrala Rakotovao and Ambassador of Republic of India to MadagascarAbhay Kumar.

Addressing the audience at the inauguration, the Ambassador Abhay Kumar said - ‘‘Cancer is a major health problem affecting a large number of people globally. Bhabhatron is a  tele-cobalt machine from made in India for cancer treatment by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.”

He further added- ‘‘During the visit of Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind to Madagascar in March 2018, an announcement was made regarding the donation of Bhabhatron to Madagascar. Madagascar is one of the few select countries which have received the Bhabhatron-II radio therapy machine from India. This reflects growing ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours under our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Indian Ocean Region.’’

Expressing his gratitude to H.E. President Andrey Rajoelina for inaugurating the centre himself, Ambassador added: ‘This reflects the importance Madagascar attaches to India-Madagascar ties and cooperation in the health sector especially. It will help in further spreading the information about this new cancer treatment facility in Antananarivo across Madagascar and more Malagasy nationals in need of treatment will benefit from it.’’

Speaking on the occasion the President Andry Rajoelina said: ‘‘Cancer is a disease that affects more and more people in our society and is one of the leading causes of mortality. However, cancer is often poorly treated because of the lack of screening and oncology treatment facilities. The majority of people affected by cancer had no other option than medical evacuation. Obviously, under these conditions, health had become a privilege and no longer a right. The setting up of this centre, therefore, is a real solution to facilitate and allow the oncology treatment for Malagasy people in Madagascar.”

The President Andry Rajoelina thanked the Government of India and said: “I also reiterate our deep appreciation to the Republic of India represented by its Ambassador, Shri Abhay Kumar, for their donation of this radiotherapy device that made this project possible.

“The Malagasy State is pursuing its mission and this radiotherapy centre is a great step towards improving the quality of life of the population and the modernization of the health system in Madagascar”, President Rajoelina concluded.

The machine has been functional at HJRA since January and has the capacity to treat 50 patients per day.