• Medical aid in remote areas: Daimler Truck supports aid project of the DEICHMANN Foundation with two Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5000 for mobile clinic use in Madagascar
• Robust off-road technology and powerful all-wheel drive enable engagement in remote and difficult-to-access regions of Madagascar
• Comprehensive medical equipment, air conditioning and self-sufficient energy and water systems enable functionality even under extreme conditions

Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Antananarivo (Madagascar) - Two off-road Mercedes-Benz Unimog have been in use as mobile clinics in Madagascar since this spring. The off-road vehicles, which have been converted for this purpose, are part of an aid project run by the DEICHMANN Foundation, which is working with volunteers in Madagascar.

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is located in south-eastern Africa and is home to around 30 million people. The country is one of the poorest in the world. More than half of the children are chronically malnourished. Access to healthcare is severely limited, especially in remote areas. Madagascar is regularly affected by tropical cyclones and droughts, which destroy the livelihoods of the population. In the south of the country, only around 30% of the population has access to clean drinking water, which further exacerbates the already difficult living situation.

The two high-terrain Unimog U 5000 were delivered in summer 2023, converted and then transferred to Antananarivo, Madagascar, where they are now in humanitarian use. In cooperation with the aid organization HoverAid and the DEICHMANN Foundation, the vehicles were specifically converted into mobile clinics. Among other things, the two Unimog have been fitted with container superstructures with medical equipment, air conditioning systems and modules for water treatment. In addition, the power take-off drives generators which, in conjunction with battery storage units, enable a completely self-sufficient power supply. The technical systems have been installed on site, tested and adapted to Madagascar's specific climatic and logistical conditions.

Jakob Adolf, project coordinator at the DEICHMANN Foundation: “Thanks to the conversion of the two Unimog into mobile clinics, we are now able to reach remote regions that previously had no medical infrastructure. In these areas, we can now provide medical care that was previously impossible. With the two fully equipped vehicles and a large treatment tent, we can provide wound care, dental treatment and important educational work on site.”

All-terrain mobility is required - even through dense jungle and over sandy slopes

Whether on rough terrain, through rivers or over stony tracks: the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5000 ensures reliable mobility even under demanding conditions. 

The vehicle is particularly suitable for operations on off-road sections away from paved roads. With selectable all-wheel drive, differential locks, push tube technology, portal axles and high ground clearance, it was built for extreme off-road operations. The wading capability also allows it to drive through water up to 1.2 meters deep. In addition, the large tipping and slope angles as well as the robust 4x4 chassis make the Unimog the ideal carrier vehicle for medical operations off the beaten track. A four-cylinder diesel engine with 160 kW (218 hp) and 810 Nm torque, combined with an 8-speed manual gearbox including off-road reduction, provides the necessary power.

A special feature of the Unimog U 5000 is its versatility in difficult terrain. During the project in Madagascar, the off-road capability was put to the test several times, including on low-hanging power lines or washed-out slopes. Thanks to the integrated generator technology, all systems, from the air conditioning system to the water pump, could be operated without an external power supply even during prolonged power outages.

Long-term commitment of the DEICHMANN Foundation

The mobile clinics are part of a comprehensive aid project by the DEICHMANN Foundation, which has been involved in Madagascar for many years. Together with local partners, it promotes educational and health services with the aim of establishing sustainable structures. The focus is not only on technical equipment, but also on the training of medical professionals who will run the clinics in the long term. In addition to the mobile clinic, the foundation is also supporting other projects, including the repair of around 500 wells in the south and north-east of the country this year.

Another project partner is HoverAid, an organization with many years of experience in humanitarian aid in Madagascar. Through existing local networks, HoverAid ensures the effective implementation and reliable operation of the mobile clinics, particularly in regions that are difficult to access. The organisation Mobile Hilfe Madagaskar (Mobile Aid Madagascar) is providing the medical staff, which is targeting around 30 missions for the mobile clinic in 2025.