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Our work in Guinea

In Guinea, Sightsavers focuses on preventing diseases such as river blindness. In 2021 we helped to give out 1.1 million treatments to protect people against these diseases.

A group of people opening boxes and writing information on clipboards.

It’s thought that more than 1.4 million people in Guinea are at risk of trachoma and more than 7 million at risk of river blindness.

Sightsavers has been working in Guinea since 1991 to to tackle neglected tropical diseases, and to treat eye conditions such as cataracts. We help to train doctors, nurses and village distributors to administer medication that can prevent disease spreading and stop patients suffering further sight loss.

Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms are also endemic in the country. As part of a push to eliminate the diseases, we distribute deworming medication to schoolchildren that are at risk, support education programmes, and train teachers and volunteers to identify the diseases.

Sightsavers is working to improve Guinea’s healthcare system by training ophthalmologists and bringing in health workers from other West African countries, such as Togo, Niger, Mali and Benin. We also provide surgical equipment and support cataract operations.

At a glance

Total population
  • 13 million

  • What we focus on
  • Cataracts
  • Trachoma
  • River blindness
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Intestinal worms

  • Key programmes
  • Tropical Data Project
  • Accelerate
  • I love my work: I feel very happy helping the community and preventing these diseases.
    Assiatou, community volunteer
    Community volunteer Assiatou stands next to a child whom she has just given a dose of preventative medication.

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