Country Ambassadors

Lala Soavina Ramarozatovo

Lala Soavina Ramarozatovo, Professor of Dermatology at the Medical School of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Head of Service Pavillon Spécial A-CHU de Befelatanana-Antananarivo 101,
President of the Société Malgache de Dermatologie (SOMADER). Email: On request
How you have helped GAFFI so far? The SOMADER, founded in 2000, and that I have lead since 2014, has worked on making diagnoses for a large number of unknown diseases in Madagascar. Amongst them, chromoblastomycosis and sporothricosis, that now can be diagnosed and treated properly, thanks to our ongoing epidemio-clinical and mycological survey conducted since 2011. The CICM (Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux), Antananarivo has been collaborating closely with us in this project that aims to set out a Malagasy clinical and mycological database. GAFFI could make use of it to improve the management of deep fungal diseases worldwide.
Personal comment on the major needs in Madagascar which GAFFI should be addressing: Diagnosis: Technical and financial help are needed to make accurate diagnosis of fungal diseases and implement a secure information system that can be utilized all over the country.
Management: Fungal diseases management should be optimized and efficient with an affordable cost, or free of charge in a developing country.
Training: Given that fungal diseases remain unknown in Madagascar, sustainable training for Malagasy medical staff is needed throughout of the country. Implementing regular national and international meetings focusing on fungal diseases will help us in experience sharing as well as knowledge updating.

Links to key fungal/global health institutions: Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale