In 2012, we tracked cases of trachoma in Ethiopia as part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.
The data we collected showed that the disease was a public health problem in 90 per cent of districts: at that time, of the 109 million people who lived in the country, more than 69 million lived in trachoma-endemic areas, the highest of any country in the world.
To tackle this, under the Accelerate programme, Sightsavers and partners are continuing to build on the work of UK aid’s SAFE trachoma control programme, and using the World Health Organization’s SAFE strategy to stop the spread of trachoma through surgery, antibiotics, face washing and environmental improvements. In 2019, we helped to distribute 15.2 million antibiotic treatments for trachoma in the country.
Sister Habiba Shemsu is an eye care worker in the south-west Arba Minch district, and she often walks eight hours a day to get to work. Yet she says it’s worth it to help save sight in rural Africa.
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Biruck Kebede, who leads Sightsavers’ NTD work in Ethiopia, explains how data can help to eliminate diseases such as trachoma.
As the 17-year-long Seeing is Believing project comes to an end, Imran Khan goes behind the scenes to reveal why it has made such an impact.
Meet the teams that Sightsavers partners with around the world to help them foster more disability inclusive workplaces.
The report highlights the progress made since the strategy was published and shows the key lessons that have been learnt during that time.
Moses Chege, Sightsavers Kenya country director, explains how Sightsavers and partners were able to reach the worst-effected people suffering from trachoma.
Sightsavers' innovative campaign app allowed staff in programme countries to collect petition signatures from people living in areas without internet coverage.
Isaac Bolingo is training young people with disabilities to be mechanics in his garage.
A graduate of Sightsavers’ innovative Connecting the Dots training programme is standing for election as a local council chairperson in Masindi district, Uganda.