Supporting the development of eye healthcare in northern Malawi
Focus on Malawi (part of The Raven Trust) provides equipment, sponsors clinical training and supports community healthcare principally with mission hospitals at Livingstonia, Embangweni and Ekwendeni.
Sustainable eye healthcare
We’re committed to helping the development of sustainable eye healthcare in a country where only a tiny minority of people can afford, or have access to, eye care.
We are a group of eye health professionals working voluntarily, together with supporters from around the UK.
Supplying clinical equipment
We source second-hand and new equipment in the UK and ship to the hospitals. Items include optometry and surgical equipment
Sponsoring clinical training
We provide funds for the clinical training of students (individuals proposed by the local hospitals) at the Malawi College of Health Sciences
Mentoring
Through digital communications and clinical visits from the UK, we are always available to encourage professional development and to help with planning clinical services
By local people for local people
We do everything we can to help local staff become equipped to provide eye-care services for their communities
Community eye health
We provide support for the development of comprehensive community eye health programmes
A wholistic approach
The work of the mission hospitals is loving, practical action – integral to the Good News that Jesus lived and taught.
For the low-income majority
Since 2005, we have been working to help the mission hospitals in northern Malawi develop eye health services amongst the rural population. Starting with providing second-hand glasses and some basic optical examination equipment to one of three hospitals, each now has its own dedicated eye clinic. All three provide optical services, and two provide basic surgical services. Two have also initiated comprehensive community eye health schemes, with sensitisation of local community leaders and schoolteachers, and screening programmes.
Community health
- making local populations aware of new eye health services
- educating people in caring for their own eyesight
- initiating community and school screening programmes
The eye clinics
- many people need glasses for education or work
- commercial eye care services are unaffordable for the majority
- infections and injuries can be treated
Keep up with our blog posts here…
“Kindly be informed that we have received the equipment… thank you for the good work you are contributing to Malawi’s eye health system..”
Thandi Munthali
Head of Optometry Department, Malawi College of Health Sciences
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You’re invited to subscribe to our Newslink email bulletin which provides a twice-yearly review of how the clinics are serving their local populations.