Madagascar

We fund service delivery, training, equipment and supplies for  four hospital-based adult eye care programs across the island nation. All programs include support  for community outreach activities essential to identifying and treating eye disease in rural communities. In addition, funding and technical support for research initiatives is provided enabling our Malagasy partners to conduct studies to inform their program decisions. 

We’re also the primary supporter of a pediatric eye health program that finds and treats children with vision loss. The program supports clinical services, supplies and transportation, and the training of a network of community outreach workers to find and refer children in need of eye care. 

In 2023, the Seva-supported program in Sava Region established the country’s first Community Eye Centre (CEC). Located in Ambilobe, in the northwest part of the country, the CEC provides year-round care in a town that was previously only visited by screening camps once or twice a year. Open five days a week, the CEC provides diagnosis, minor treatments, eye exams and glasses to the community, as well as surgical services once every other month. 

To assist with the financial sustainability of the Malagasy programs, we fund an annual cost-revenue assessment.  Training is also provided in both cost-recovery and revenue-generating strategies proven successful in other health-service delivery models.

As a result, the Malagasy programs are continuing to work towards financial sustainability while still providing high-quality free or subsidized services for those who cannot afford to pay.