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At a glance

One of the smallest nations in continental Africa, Guinea Bissau was the first Portuguese colony to gain independence. It was when this happened in 1973 that ‘Bissau’ was added to its name, to avoid confusion with neighbouring Guinea (Conakry).

With nearly half of the population living below the poverty line, Guinea Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world. Years of violence and unrest have left Guinea Bissau with an extremely poor health care: inadequate staffing and training, poor (or non-existent) infrastructure and equipment and lack of health information among the population.

Prior to the independence in 1974, the only systematic eye care provided was by visiting Russian ophthalmologists.

Nearly a quarter of the total land area is water, and forest fires have lead to deforestation. The climate is tropical and generally hot and humid. Monsoon rains fall from June to November, making road transport difficult.

Sightsavers in Guinea Bissau

We have been working in Guinea Bissau since 2001 through the Health for Peace Initiative, (a collaboration of four West African countries who came together to address various health issues that they are affected by). But directly since 2007, our eye-care programme focussing on the southwest of the country, which is the most underserved region in terms of general health services.

We also support the distribution of Mectizan® to prevent river blindness.