River blindness is endemic in the country, with an estimated 50.3 million people at risk of going blind from the disease. There are also an estimated 48 million people at risk of lymphatic filariasis (LF).
Building on the work of a UK aid programme, we have helped to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as river blindness and LF through the UK aid flagship NTD programme Ascend West and Central Africa. Sightsavers and its fellow consortium members have supported ministries to protect communities in DRC from these debilitating diseases, train health workers and distribute medication across communities to stop the spread of river blindness and LF.
The programme has helped patients to manage the symptoms of LF, including teaching them how to clean infections and showing them exercises to reduce swelling. Surgery has also been provided for male patients who have hydrocele, a symptom of LF that causes swelling of the scrotum.
The country may have a high burdens of neglected tropical diseases, but people on the ground such as Nurse Lokoto are working tirelessly to protect communities.
Read the storySightsavers’ Laurène Leclercq shares successes from an award-winning project in Cameroon and Senegal that’s supporting people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of political life.
The prize was awarded for our inclusion project which promotes the rights of people with disabilities to participate in civic and political life in Cameroon and Senegal.
We’re working with partners in Cameroon and Senegal to ensure people with disabilities are able to take part in every stage of the political process.
Charity evaluator GiveWell has provided a further US$7.8 million to fight intestinal worms and schistosomiasis in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Cameroon has become the second African country to begin to ratify the African Disability Protocol, which addresses unique issues that affect people with disabilities in African countries.
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.
Africa is behind on the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, yet there are programmes already in place that can help to distribute vaccines in the continent.
More than 6,300 people have had cataract operations in the past three years at Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute, with safety protocols enabling work to continue during the pandemic.
A campaign to protect school children from worm infections has been launched in Cameroon. Plus news from Burkina Faso, India and more.