Malawi
CBM has a dedicated Malawi Country Office and supports projects and programmes covering education of the blind and visually impairments, prevention of blindness, community based rehabilitation, prevention of hearing impairment and training of ophthalmic and orthopaedic specialists, as well as ENT Clinical Officer. In addition, CBM provides Technical and Policy Advise to the Government of Malawi, and assists strategic partner in their capacity development efforts.
Disability and poverty in Malawi
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking on position 171 out 187 of the Human Development Index. Malawi has a population of approximately 14 million, and more than half of the population is still living in poverty.
The WHO released figures in June 2011 showing that 1 in 7 of the world's population experiences disability. In Malawi this equates to over two million people. It is estimated that around 1% of the country's population is blind, half of which is blind due to cataract; other common causes being Glaucoma, Trachoma and corneal scarring.
The WHO released figures in June 2011 showing that 1 in 7 of the world's population experiences disability. In Malawi this equates to over two million people. It is estimated that around 1% of the country's population is blind, half of which is blind due to cataract; other common causes being Glaucoma, Trachoma and corneal scarring.
CBM with its Malawi partners
CBM began its work in Malawi in the early 1970s, staring with support to Montfort College of the Blind in construction of Schools for the Blind throughout the country in 1971. In 1976 CBM started supporting Nkhoma Hospital Eye Department.
Since then, CBM’s partner have increased in number and today, CBM supports a total of 7 Projects and Programmes in the country. The Projects and Programmes are supporting the health- and education sectors, civil society, and cross-cutting in the area of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR).
Furthermore, CBM is involved in 5 other development processes, ranging from Policy- and Technical Advice to Government to support of the Organizational Development initiatives of its key partner.
For example, CBM has been heavily involved in the Development of the Medical Eye Care Plan of the Government of Malawi 2012-2016, and is presently working together with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Community Development in developing capacities for Disability mainstreaming in Central Government. In 2011, CBM opened a country office in the capital, Lilongwe.
Since then, CBM’s partner have increased in number and today, CBM supports a total of 7 Projects and Programmes in the country. The Projects and Programmes are supporting the health- and education sectors, civil society, and cross-cutting in the area of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR).
Furthermore, CBM is involved in 5 other development processes, ranging from Policy- and Technical Advice to Government to support of the Organizational Development initiatives of its key partner.
For example, CBM has been heavily involved in the Development of the Medical Eye Care Plan of the Government of Malawi 2012-2016, and is presently working together with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Community Development in developing capacities for Disability mainstreaming in Central Government. In 2011, CBM opened a country office in the capital, Lilongwe.
