Working for better healthcare in 2026
05/05/2026
IMS Madagascar is a department within the Bishops’ Conference. Here is a brief update on the current year and its mission projects.
Role and mission of the IMS
For the year 2026, our Section’s mission focuses on fostering engagement and raising awareness amongst all entities of the Catholic Church in Madagascar. This involves revitalising the spirit of solidarity and mutual support within our respective communities (the Congregation and the Diocese).
Our aim is not merely to persuade members to join the EMI, but to cultivate this spirit in order to foster genuine fraternity and effective synodality.
The IMS is undoubtedly a structure designed to embody this solidarity in the field of healthcare.
How it works
The Groups
Member groups acknowledge the beneficial contributions made by IMS :
- apart from the membership fees and reimbursements that form part of the day-to-day running of our services,
- uncovered healthcare costs have been reimbursed through the social fund ;
- herbal medicines will be recognised as appropriate for Madagascar from 2026 onwards,
- and some groups have benefited from a reduction in membership fees.
The Section
As for the Section, we remain steadfast in fulfilling our mission. We have continued to promote IMS through its mission of mutual aid and solidarity, working alongside bishops and major superiors of religious congregations on matters of medical cover.
We have increased the number of meetings and continued to support group leaders. Despite the importance of this assistance, the goal of group autonomy remains a possibility.
IMS and the CEM, the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar
Following an assessment with the CEM of the past three years, we are taking a further step towards integrating EMI into the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care in Healthcare Settings (CES.).
The bishop chairing this commission will be appointed by the Conference as a ‘delegate’ for the next General Assembly. This arrangement is of great importance to us and will not be a one-way street in the collaboration between the IMS and the CEM.
