Sightsavers works closely with GiveWell to deliver cost-effective deworming treatments that protect schoolchildren from two parasitic infections.
Sightsavers and GiveWell
GiveWell is known for its in-depth analysis to find and recommend charities. It has recommended and funded Sightsavers for our deworming programmes since 2017.
These programmes treat children for two parasitic infections: schistosomiasis, an infection that causes the death of 200,000 people a year in sub-Saharan Africa, and intestinal worms, which affect 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Both these ancient diseases have been infecting humans for thousands of years. If left untreated, they can cause nutritional problems and can affect cognitive and physical development. This not only has an impact on children’s health, but also affects their ability to concentrate, which may cause them to miss school – this affects their future prospects and has a broader impact on the economy.
What do GiveWell and Sightsavers hope to achieve?
Thanks to GiveWell-supported projects, Sightsavers aims to treat school-age children for schistosomiasis and intestinal worms through programmes in schools and local communities. Both diseases can be treated with a single dose of deworming medication, often distributed in schools by specially trained teachers, who also promote the importance of hand washing and good hygiene. By preventing infection, students are more likely to be able to stay in school.
Which countries are involved?
Sightsavers’ GiveWell-supported deworming projects are protecting children from schistosomiasis and intestinal worms in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Cameroon.
How can deworming change the world?
Sightsavers technical adviser Ndellejong Cosmas Ejong tells us via video about his work to fight parasitic worm infections and how deworming can have a huge impact around the world.
Watch the videoDeworming: the diseases we treat
Intestinal worms live in the digestive system, causing malnourishment and leaving people susceptible to illness.
Children aged three to eight are most at risk: the disease can cause them to miss school, damaging their education and development. To prevent this, school children are often given a single dose of medication to treat the disease. Good hygiene can also stop intestinal worms spreading.
Known as ‘snail fever’, schistosomiasis is caused by parasites released by freshwater snails. At first there may be no symptoms, but it can lead to pain, diarrhoea and death.
The disease mainly affects poorer communities that don’t have access to clean drinking water or adequate sanitation, but medication can stop people catching it. It is often treated alongside other neglected tropical diseases.
What we’ve achieved since 2017
27 million
treatments given to protect children from disease
130,000
medical training courses provided for teachers
105,000
visits made to support schools
You can help us fight neglected tropical diseases
DONATEMore about our deworming work
“I don’t have a tummy ache any more!”
Hear first-hand how Sightsavers is working with GiveWell to control intestinal worms and schistosomiasis, two devastating diseases that affect thousands of children in Cameroon.
November 2021
