Chad
Trachoma has been a public health problem in Chad since the 1970s. In 2018, we distributed more than 1.9 million antibiotic treatments to control the spread of trachoma in the country.
Millions of people in Chad are at risk of trachoma, a painful infectious eye disease that, if left untreated, can cause blindness.
We’re helping to fight trachoma in the country and stop it spreading using the SAFE strategy, a public health approach endorsed by the World Health Organization.
The SAFE acronym describes the four methods used to control the disease.
- Surgery: to stop eyelashes from rubbing against the eyeball and helping to halt the cycle of repeated infection that can lead to blindness.
- Antibiotics: medication is used to treat the infection and reduce the spread of the disease. It is usually repeated annually for three or more years.
- Facial cleanliness: teaching local communities the importance of face washing, to prevent the infection being spread through contact.
- Environmental improvements: to improve access to water and sanitation to reduce exposure and re-infection, and stop flies breeding.
Sightsavers is leading a five-year SAFE programme in Chad on behalf of the International Coalition for Trachoma Control, funded by the UK government’s Department for International Development.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Your donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from central Africa
Putting people at the centre of our work to eliminate neglected tropical diseases
Sightsavers' river blindness and lymphatic filariasis programme has delivered 60 million treatments in four countries. Here’s what we’ve learned from the project.
50,000 patients screened during first year of innovative cataract project
The Cameroon Cataract Development Impact Loan brings together public and private investors alongside eye care delivery experts and charities, including Sightsavers.
Mbalmayo Disability Group, Cameroon
In Cameroon there are laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including the right to vote. Yet many still struggle to access the ballot box.
Michel’s story
“The message that we want to say through this radio programme is that people with disabilities have to take part in the electoral process.”
Robert’s story
Robert Oyono is Cameroon’s first senator with a disability, and is calling for people with disabilities to be included in the political process.
Nanny’s story
“I didn’t know that disabled people have the right to vote. I didn’t know if it was for a certain class and a certain age.”
Eveline’s story
“People have a lot of misconceptions about blind women. They think that people with visual impairments cannot do anything at all.”
Adieme’s story
“I think if there is a wide mobilisation of the vote among disabled people, it can change things in our country.”
Braving the odds to combat NTDs in Democratic Republic of Congo
Sightsavers surveillance manager Ndellejong Cosmas Ejong explains what has already been achieved in DRC, and how we’re pushing ahead to tackle these debilitating neglected tropical diseases.
A battle to reach the ballot box: Cameroon’s growing disability movement
As Cameroon prepares for its general election, Sightsavers Country Director Joseph Oye explains why he hopes more people with disabilities will vote.
May highlights: updates from around the world
News from Mali, where a new initiative is helping children with visual impairments to go to school. Plus updates from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Cameroon.
April highlights: updates from around the world
An update from Nigeria, where Sightsavers has donated new motorbikes to a group of NTD workers. Plus news from Guinea, Cameroon and Mozambique.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work