Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world’s least developed countries. It has a population of 13.5 million, 85% of which live in rural areas. The economy of the country is predominately agricultural.

A national eye care committee has been established under the Vision 2020 plan and is active. Eye care has been restricted to the 3 clinics that operate in Nkhoma, Lilongwe and Blantyre although 2 new facilities are currently being built in Mzuzu and Neno by the Lions of Norway and Partners in Health.

The country currently conducts about 10,000 cataract surgeries per annum, far short of the estimated need of 55,000 operations. There are 7 ophthalmologists, 4 of them Malawians and a limited number of ophthalmic clinical officers, medical assistants and ophthalmic nurses.

Right to Sight currently has three projects in Malawi

1. Nkhoma Eye Hospital

Current Status

• Vision Building and Strategic Planning - LAICO Feb 2008.
• Staff skill development training – LAICO Feb 2008.
• Assessment of Management Information Systems by RTS Team and LAICO Consultant - July 2008

RTS Objectives

• To introduce revenue generating mechanisms to ensure sustainability
• To support Nkhoma to become a Cataract Surgical Training Centre in Africa
• Increase capacity of cataract operations to 5,000 and out-patients to 50,000 per annum.
• Expand training of key staff to allow ophthalmologists to focus on surgery.

2. Neno District Eye Programme

Current Status

• Request from Partners in Health & Clinton Foundation to develop eye care services at Neno.
• PiH has completed building work on a 100 bed hospital. The opening is planned for October 2008.
• On going needs assessment process now in place with PiH.

RTS Objectives

• To train primary health workers on eye disease detection.
• To train existing staff in eye care services.
• To provide equipment and consumables for eye care.
• To introduce cataract operations and refraction into the Neno district.
• To facilitate 2,500 cataract operations by June 2009.

3. Malawi National Eye Care Programme

Current Status

• Review of Existing National Plan 2005 - 2010: ongoing
• All key stake holders are being invited : Government, NGOs, National Blindness Committee operatives, Senior Lions Club Executives, Indian expertise through LAICO and LVPEI.
  

RTS Objectives

• To help support a Revised National Eye Care Plan through Research, analysis and expert support.
• To make the Eye Care Plan realistic and achievable.