Sherritt supports blindness prevention in Madagascar

Sherritt International (s-t) has donated $32,000 to Seva Canada, to help the charity restore sight and prevent blindness for people in Madagascar.

Seva’s program will provide eye care for those in need in the Atsinanana region of Madagascar. The funds will buy critical eye surgery equipment and diagnostic instruments. Currently there are only two facilities in Atsinanana providing secondary eye care services with basic equipment and limited staff. The population has traditionally had little access to eye care treatment.

The World Health Organization estimates there are 14,000 blind people in Atsinanana and 42,000 who have visual impairments. Most of the blindness in Madagascar is preventable or treatable, either with basic surgery or the provision of low cost prescription glasses.

“Sherritt International’s donation will have a significant impact on eye care in eastern Madagascar,” said Penny Lyons, executive director of Seva Canada, in a press release.

Toronto-based Sherritt International is a diversified natural resource company and a partner in the Ambatovy project, a major nickel and cobalt project in Madagascar.

Seva Canada, founded in 1982, provides funding and expertise to partners in developing countries and regions to deliver community and clinical eye care programs that reach the most vulnerable populations – women and children, the very poor and those in rural areas.