Dr. Adrien Ralaimiarison, together with Dr. David Mann, spearheaded the establishment of the Vaovao Mahafaly Hospital, also known as the “Good News” Hospital, in Mandritsara – a rural town located in the Sofia region in northern Madagascar.
Despite initially lacking infrastructure, staff and resources, their vision, driven by the mission of the Bible Baptist Churches of Madagascar, was to provide both healthcare and the Gospel to the people of Mandritsara.
From its humble beginnings with only two consulting rooms, this hospital has rapidly evolved into a vital healthcare institution, offering a range of medical, surgical, and obstetric services to a large geographic area in the Sofia region. It quickly became the chief healthcare provider for a radius of approximately 200km with patients walking, cycling or caried by their relatives for at least two days to get to the hospital.
Notably, it became the sole facility in Madagascar dedicated to repairing obstetric fistulas until the 2010s, when the UNFPA initiated a program to eliminate this condition. Obstetric fistula, affecting tens of thousands of women globally and more than 2000 Malagasy women each year, is a severe condition often leading to constant incontinence, social isolation, and health complications1. Dr. Adrien’s work in preventing and managing obstetric fistula not only aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of improving maternal health but also contributed to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity caused by obstructed labor .
This journey did not end with obstetric care. Dr. Adrien also led the hospital’s surgery department, providing essential services for clubfoot correction. Meanwhile, his wife, Gisele, oversaw the remarkable growth of the Good News School from 5 to 300 students, demonstrating a deep commitment to the community’s well-being.
Over the years, the hospital experienced exponential growth, thanks to small patients contributions and generous donations from individuals and organizations, facilitated by the Friends of Mandritsara Trust fund. The ongoing support of volunteer medical staff has been instrumental in this expansion.
In January 2022, the Vaovao Mahafaly (Good News) Hospital in Mandritsara proudly inaugurated a new operating theater to host the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) surgical training program. This exceptional initiative was graced by the presence of Professor Zely Randriamanantany, Minister of Public Health, as well as elected deputies from the Sofia region. The governor expressed immense pride, stating that the Sofia region now stands as the sole location, outside Antananarivo, to house a dedicated training center for surgeons as a step forward in medical education for future generations and the advancement of surgical expertise.
In 2024, the hospital stands as a beacon of hope, with a bustling outpatient department, 57 inpatient beds, a fully equipped operating theater, an eye department performing numerous cataract operations, and essential facilities such as a laboratory, X-ray department, pharmacy, and a Nursing & Midwifery School2.
Tragically, Dr. Adrien’s untimely passing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Antananarivo has left a void, but his legacy in Mandritsara will continue to inspire and impact countless lives for years to come.
To support this cause, you can explore the current volunteering opportunities or make a donation directly to the hospital through the following links: Current Volunteering Needs or Donate to the Hospital.
Article written by Mynah Nassila
January 2024
- First International Day of Obstetric Fistula: “End Shame, End Isolation, Eliminate Fistula”, UNFPA,
25 May 2013 ↩︎ - https://www.mandritsara.org.uk/hospital ↩︎
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