SALFA Eye Project

An essential eye health project reaching out to more than 3.5 million people in Antananarivo.

Supported by CBM since 2004, the SALFA Eye Project's Eye Department is one of four hospital departments responsible for providing eye care services to more than 3.5 million people. The project is based in the Ambohibao Hospital which is run by the Malagasy Lutheran Church.

The Eye Department consists of an out-patient clinic, a 7-bed ward, and an operating room. Two ophthalmologists run eye clinics and undertake surgeries.

It is estimated that around 1% of the population is blind, half of which is due to cataract. The project uses 'cataract finders' to locate and refer patients for treatment at the hospital. Glaucoma and corneal scarring are other common causes of blindness in this area.