Illuminating Vision: The Mazava Project in Madagascar
Editor:
Riya Patel, BS
Riya is a second-year medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
In Madagascar, preventable blindness from cataracts continues to impact thousands due to limited access to surgical care. To address this crisis, the Mazava Project is transforming eye care by training local practitioners through innovative simulation-based techniques.
INTRODUCTION
In Madagascar, 200,000 residents suffer from blindness due to untreated bilateral cataracts [1]. Additionally, Madagascar has some of the world’s lowest cataract surgery rates, with only 250 surgeries being done per 1 million people. Limited access to surgical care has left many individuals in remote areas unable to seek treatment.
THE MAZAVA PROJECT
Recognizing this need, HelpMeSee, Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, and the Polyclinic d’Ilafy Hospital in Antananarivo, Madagascar have jointly launched the Mazava Project. “Mazava” means bright in Malagasy and this project is an initiative designed to transform cataract care by training local general practitioners to perform high-quality cataract surgeries [2].
Jean-Marie André, MD, medical officer for Africa at HelpMeSee, has over 40 years of experience in anterior segment surgery and previous training of medical professionals in manual small-incision cataract surgery. André has been a crucial part in the development and implementation of the Mazava Project. He noted that prior to the Mazava Project, there were only 25 ophthalmic surgeons in all of Madagascar to serve a population of over 28 million people. This burden was especially imposed on rural areas where only 5 ophthalmic surgeons practiced outside of large towns [2].
SIMULATION-BASED LEARNING
In order to address a critical shortage of ophthalmic surgeons, the Mazava Project is grounded in simulation-based learning, an innovative approach that ensures doctors master surgical techniques before working on live patients. This method has already yielded remarkable results. Trainees, supported by expert mentors, perform surgeries with confidence and precision, enabling them to address blindness in underserved communities [3]. To date, the Mazava Project has fully trained over 20 practitioners with 30 practitioners still in training, significantly expanding access to eye care in Madagascar [2].
CAPACITY-BUILDING WITH BARRIERS
The Mazava Project’s success also highlights the potential of sustainable, locally led healthcare solutions. André says that this workforce of trained surgeons “have a strong foundation in ophthalmology.” and is creating a lasting impact beyond its initial scope. Yet challenges remain—there is a need for increased funding and collaboration to scale such efforts nationally.
CONCLUSION
By investing in programs like the Mazava Project, we can envision a future where no one is left in the dark due to preventable blindness. André states that once the Mazava Project is completed and optimized in Madagascar, they hope to replicate the model in other developing countries. This illuminating vision is a call to action to prioritize equity, innovative solutions, and patient empowerment in eye care.
REFERENCES
Randrianaivo, J.B., et al., Blindness and cataract surgical services in Atsinanana region, Madagascar. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol, 2014. 21(2): p. 153-7.
Hutton, D. Mazava Project shines light on blindness in Madagascar. 2024; Available from: https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/mazava-project-shines-light-on-blindness-in-madagascar.
Boye, O. Brightening the Eyes of a Nation. 2023; Available from: https://theophthalmologist.com/business-profession/brightening-the-eyes-of-a-nation.
