MOSS is a registered
charity set up in 1993 to help develop ophthalmic and general health
services in Madagascar. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries
in the world and has an estimated population of 21 million,
45% of which are under the age of 15.
Madagascar has just over one ophthalmologist per million and
most of these are based in the capital. Approximately 250,000 people in
Madagascar are blind. This figure can be multiplied by 6 for those visually
impaired. Research undertaken by MOSS showed that 70% of adult
blindness is treatable and 90% of childhood blindness is preventable.
