Our work in Côte d’Ivoire
Sightsavers’ work in Côte d’Ivoire focuses on diseases such as river blindness. In 2018 we distributed 3.6 million treatments and trained 7,600 volunteers to give out medication.
Neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness are a major health problem in Côte d’Ivoire.
It’s believed more than 17.4 million people (76 per cent of the population) are in danger of contracting lymphatic filariasis, a debilitating infection transmitted via mosquito bite.
More than 2.2 million people are also at risk of river blindness, which can cause severe skin irritation, itching, visual impairment and irreversible blindness. It is spread by the bite of infected black flies.
To combat these diseases, Sightsavers distributes medication to treat them and stop the spread of infection. In 2018, we distributed more than 3.6 million treatments for neglected tropical diseases in Côte d’Ivoire and trained 7,600 volunteers to gather data and give out medication to protect against NTDs.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Your donation could help to protect sight
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Sightsavers are runners up for two global development awards
A pioneer in disease elimination and a groundbreaking project to make workplaces more inclusive have been recognised by the prestigious Bond awards.
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: highlights from around the world
On 30 January, Sightsavers joined in celebrations for the first ever World NTD Day around the world.
October updates: highlights from around the world
In Nigeria, an eye health volunteer has been rewarded for helping to prevent river blindness for more than 20 years. Plus news from Zimbabwe, Ghana and Mali.
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Meet Mary, a sight-saving volunteer
Mary, a dedicated mother of seven, used to work as a teacher. Now, she is saving sight in Asubende village in Ghana, by distributing medication to protect people from river blindness. Here you can meet some of the people she has helped.
May updates: highlights from around the world
News from India, where Sightsavers campaigned to help people with disabilities take part in the recent general election. Plus updates from Mali, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
How an innovative school programme is improving health in Liberia
Sightsavers' integrated school health programme aims to improve the lives of more than 76,000 children through deworming and eye screening.
April updates: highlights from around the world
A round-up of the latest work that your donations help to support, including news from Pakistan, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire.
Liberia five years on: saving sight in the aftermath of Ebola
Lincoln Gankpala, from the Liberian Ministry of Health, shares his experience of treating river blindness before, during and after the devastating Ebola outbreak that claimed thousands of lives.
“Grace gave me the courage to empower people with disabilities”
On International Women's Day, disability ambassador Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame remembers Grace Preko, her friend, sister and role model who showed her there was life after blindness.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work