Madagascar
CBM has a dedicated Madagascar country office and support programmes covering education of persons with visual and hearing impairments, prevention of blindness and hearing loss, community based rehabilitation and training of ophthalmic paramedics.
Disability and poverty in Madagascar
Madagascar is the fourth biggest island in the world, with a population of 20 million, half of whom are living in poverty.
The WHO released figures in June 2011 showing that 1 in 7 of the world's population experiences disability. In Madagascar this equates to 2.8 million people.It is estimated that around 1% of the country's population is blind, half of which is due to cataract; with the other common causes being Glaucoma and corneal scarring.
CBM with Malagasy partners
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©CBM
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Theatre nurse Rakotarivelo Benjaharison (left) assisting Doctor Raherimandimby Philippe (right) during sight restoring cataract surgery in Madagascar. They were trained by CBM co-workers Ms Ingrid Mason at Kikuyu Eye Unit, Kenya and Dr. Paul Steinkuller in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar respectively.
CBM began its work in Madagascar in the late 1970s, and started supporting the School for the Deaf of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Antsirabe, in 1981.
That same year, Dr. Joseph Taylor, CBM Medical Advisor for Eastern Africa, paid a visit to Madagascar, paving the way for the first Eye Medical Programme in partnership, still with the Lutheran Church, in Antsirabe.
Since then, CBM’s partners have increased in number to 5 with a total of 14 programmes. The programmes cover the areas of special education for persons with visual and hearing impairments, prevention of blindness and hearing loss, community based rehabilitation and training of ophthalmic paramedics.
CBM has also been instrumental in preparing the national policy papers for blindness prevention, prevention of hearing loss and disability. In 2008, CBM opened a country office in the capital, Antananarivo
That same year, Dr. Joseph Taylor, CBM Medical Advisor for Eastern Africa, paid a visit to Madagascar, paving the way for the first Eye Medical Programme in partnership, still with the Lutheran Church, in Antsirabe.
Since then, CBM’s partners have increased in number to 5 with a total of 14 programmes. The programmes cover the areas of special education for persons with visual and hearing impairments, prevention of blindness and hearing loss, community based rehabilitation and training of ophthalmic paramedics.
CBM has also been instrumental in preparing the national policy papers for blindness prevention, prevention of hearing loss and disability. In 2008, CBM opened a country office in the capital, Antananarivo
