A groundbreaking initiative in Malawi is making strides towards health equity by bringing essential health services directly to communities. With the support of international development organization Sightsavers, the project has reached over 122,000 individuals, including women and people with disabilities, in rural and impoverished areas of the South West Health Zone.
Globally, women make up more than half of those affected by blindness and visual impairment1, while individuals with disabilities are three times less likely to receive necessary healthcare compared to those without disabilities2.
In Malawi, an estimated 1.7 million people experienced vision loss in 20203. It is crucial that everyone, regardless of their location or background, has access to healthcare services, yet availability and awareness vary throughout the country.
This project aligns with the government’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically ‘universal health coverage,’ aimed at ensuring all individuals have access to healthcare.
Effie Kaminyoghe, Senior Programme Manager at Sightsavers, emphasizes the importance of inclusive eye health as a fundamental aspect of community healthcare. An inclusive approach that prioritizes individuals with disabilities, women, and other marginalized groups is essential for the success of universal health coverage in the country.
Through funding from the UK government and the British public via UK Aid Match, Sightsavers collaborated with the government and other partners to provide eye health screenings, surgeries, hospital transport, and health facility accessibility audits.
The project also focused on systemic change through gender and disability inclusion training for healthcare staff, support for training community-based ophthalmic clinical officers, and eye health awareness initiatives. This included the participation of volunteer eye health ambassadors who shared their personal stories to encourage others to seek services.
Esther’s story illustrates the transformative impact of community healthcare. Struggling with vision impairment that hindered her ability to work and care for her children, Esther’s life was profoundly affected. However, through the eye health project, she was diagnosed with cataracts and underwent surgery.
Following the surgery, Esther was able to see her children clearly for the first time in a long while. She now takes care of her children and supports her husband through daily work. Esther’s children, especially her eldest who had sacrificed school to assist her, now experience a positive change in their daily lives thanks to her regained vision.