DONATE

Sightsavers launches eye health programme in Tanzania

October 2019
A woman with a bandaged eye and a girl smiling
The programme will help people such as Joyce John (left) to get help for eye conditions such as cataracts.

Sightsavers is launching a three-year programme to provide quality eye care to rural populations in the Morogoro and Singida regions of Tanzania.

The programme, funded by UK Aid Match, will ensure that eye health services are accessible to everyone. By July 2020, 150,000 people in these regions will have improved access to quality eye care services. The programme aims to provide more than 13,000 cataract operations and restore the sight of thousands more people using non-surgical treatment.

Imran Khan, Sightsavers’ chief global technical lead, said: “We know that eye health services are not reaching many of the most marginalised people in the Morogoro and Singida regions. Information and services must be made more accessible so that everyone can get treatment for eye conditions equally, including women, older people and people with disabilities.”

Blindness and poor vision have a huge impact on quality of life for people living in Morogoro and Singida. They often lead to social isolation and financial insecurity. The programme aims to train more than 350 health staff in primary eye care, and more than 550 clinical and non-clinical staff in gender and disability inclusion to ensure services are accessible to all.

As well as increasing awareness and understanding of inclusion, the programme will improve the accessibility of health facilities and ensure that people with disabilities are involved in leading and shaping the services provided.

“This programme is building on our previous work in these regions, as well as on our experience in making healthcare inclusive for all, so that no one is left behind,” said Khan. “We are working with local government in both regions, as well as older people’s organisations, disability rights groups and women’s organisations. Our partners will play a vital role in making this happen.”

A boy in Zanzibar wears special specs to have his eyes tested.

How we protect sight

Sightsavers aims to prevent avoidable blindness and save the sight of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

About our work
UK Aid logo, featuring the Union Jack and the wording 'Matching your donations with UK aid'.

Read all our latest news stories

News from Sightsavers
Upendo examines a patient's eyes during an eye test.
Sightsavers from the field

The Boresha Macho project: improving vision in Tanzania

In Singida, an inclusive eye health programme has made eye care services more affordable, sustainable and equitable. Here, four people involved with the project share their stories.

March 2023
Amina smiles as she covers one of her eyes with her hand.
Sightsavers blog

Lessons from the Boresha Macho eye health programme in Tanzania

Sightsavers’ Edwin Maleko shares the impact of an inclusive eye health programme on communities and eye care services in Singida and Morogoro.

Edwin Maleko, March 2023
A group of women wearing colourful headscarves smile and laugh during a puppet show in their community.
sightsavers_news

UK government strategy: Sightsavers calls for further action for women and girls with disabilities

The UK government’s new international women and girls strategy is a positive step. But because 18 per cent of women have a disability, it is essential that disability inclusion is prioritised.

March 2023

Learn about our work to save sight