Preventing Childhood Blindness in Madagascar 

The project focuses on improving newborn vision screening in the Antsirabe I and Antsirabe II districts of Madagascar, aiming to prevent childhood blindness by enhancing the skills and resources of local healthcare providers. 

Objectives 

The main goal is to ensure that eye diseases in newborns and young children are detected early and treated promptly. By training healthcare workers and providing them with the necessary tools, the project hopes to increase the detection and treatment rates of preventable eye conditions, ultimately reducing cases of childhood blindness. 

Innovation  

The project uses the Arclight, a low cost solar powered, pocket-sized ophthalmoscope-loupe-otoscope. It has been developed by the Arclight Project, led by Dr. Andrew Blaikie, at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. The Arclight allows healthcare providers to screen for blindness casing diseases in resource poor settings. While CBM has worked with Dr Blaikie using the Arclight in other settings, this will be the first time focusing on newborn screening.  

Key Activities 

Training Healthcare Providers: 

Development of Training Materials: The project will translate existing training materials into French, the local working language, and train ten local trainers. 

Training Sessions: 150 healthcare providers, including nurses, midwives, and doctors, will be trained in using the Arclight, a tool for detecting eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. 

Ongoing Support: Refresher training and supervision will be provided to maintain high standards of screening throughout the project. 

Providing Equipment: 

Procurement and Distribution: 250 Arclight devices will be purchased and distributed to trained healthcare providers, with additional devices held in reserve for new staff or replacements. 

Community Awareness and Screening: 

Raising Awareness: The project will conduct radio broadcasts and engage community health workers to inform parents about the importance of vision screening. 

Screening Implementation: Vision screening will be integrated into newborn checks and vaccination visits. By the end of the project, it's expected that over 30,000 children will have been screened. 

Treatment and Support: 

Specialized Treatment: Children diagnosed with serious eye conditions will be referred for treatment, with the project covering the costs. 

Support for Families: Financial and psychosocial support will be offered to families facing the challenges of a serious diagnosis, ensuring they can complete their child's treatment. 

Sharing Results: 

Dissemination: The project will share its findings with national stakeholders, aiming to influence future policy and expand newborn vision screening across Madagascar. 

Impact 

This project is expected to directly benefit thousands of newborns and young children by detecting and treating vision-threatening conditions early. Indirectly, it will strengthen the local healthcare system, providing long-term benefits beyond the project's three-year duration. 

Sustainability 

To ensure lasting impact, the project is aligned with national health strategies and will involve local stakeholders throughout its implementation. The hope is that successful outcomes will lead to the adoption of these practices nationwide, supported by future funding and government policy. 

This project represents a significant step towards improving eye health for children in Madagascar, with the potential to save many from preventable blindness. 

CBM Ireland would like to thank Electric Aid for funding this life–changing project.