News
BBC Africa films first trachoma operations in Benin
A team from ‘La Vie’, BBC Africa’s French-language health programme, followed the story of two women from Benin as they had surgery for blinding trachoma.
Nearly 300,000 people given medication in Egypt during first mass trachoma campaign
Antibiotics were distributed in the Menia region of northern Egypt, where nearly 10 per cent of children aged one to nine had symptoms of the disease.
Nigerian hotspot declared free from river blindness
The disease has been banished from key areas of Nigeria where it was once endemic, bringing it one step closer to being eliminated.
Sightsavers and END Fund join forces at TED summit to inspire action on NTDs
Sightsavers’ CEO Dr Caroline Harper and the END Fund’s Sam Mayer presented a session looking at how countries are making huge strides towards eliminating neglected tropical diseases.
Sightsavers India launches fellowship programme for young ophthalmologists
The programme will take 10 trainees through a course of mentorship and practical work, to enable them to improve their skills and give them a taste of rural eye health work in India.
Groundbreaking new programme will enable 2,000 people with disabilities to get better jobs
The Inclusion Works programme, funded by UK aid and led by Sightsavers, will create job opportunities for more than 2,000 people with disabilities.
Sightsavers welcomes Clive Jones as new chair of trustees
Broadcasting veteran Clive will take the helm from current chair Martin Dinham, who is stepping down after four years in the role.
Sightsavers Kenya launches disability rights petition
The petition is part of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign, and calls on the government of Kenya, the United Nations and its member states to uphold the rights of people with disabilities.
Survey highlights lack of knowledge about UV threat to our eyesight
A Sightsavers survey, in partnership with People’s Postcode Lottery, shows nearly half of Brits don’t choose their sunglasses for UV protection.
Number of people at risk of trachoma has fallen by 91%
In 2002 there were was about 1.5 billion people worldwide at risk of the eye disease. But new data from the World Health Organization shows this has fallen to just over 142 million people.
