Our work in Malawi
Sightsavers has been working in Malawi since the 1950s. In September 2022, Malawi was confirmed as the first country in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma, thanks to the work of Sightsavers and our partners.
Breaking news: trachoma has been eliminated in Malawi
Read the news storyMalawi is one of the world’s poorest countries. Almost 85 per cent of the population lives in remote, rural communities that are far from the country’s few eye health centres.
Sightsavers began working in Malawi in the 1950s. In September 2022, the World Health Organization confirmed that Malawi was the first country in south-east Africa to eliminate trachoma, thanks to the work of Sightsavers and our partners.
We’re also continuing to support the Ministry of Health to distribute medication that protects people from river blindness, with nearly 2.5 million people thought to be at risk from the disease in the country.
Much of our work in Malawi involves helping to improve eye care services, particularly in rural areas, so people with visual impairments can be diagnosed and treated. It’s thought that more than 200,000 people in the country have visual impairments, with half caused by cataracts.
We’re also training teachers to make sure children with disabilities are able to go to school and learn alongside their peers. We’re currently focusing on early years education and developing community-based childcare centres.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Previous programmes
How we’re making a difference in Malawi
Fighting disease
Sightsavers is working to eliminate debilitating neglected tropical diseases, such as trachoma, in the country. Find out how Malawi is faring as it inches closer to stamping out trachoma for good. Read the blog
Leaving no one behind
We're training teachers and caregivers how to include children with disabilities at pre-school, so they are able to develop their physical and cognitive skills and play alongside other children. About the project
Your donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from Malawi
A day in the life: “You really feel that you’ve made a difference”
Dr Moira Chinthambi received a Sightsavers scholarship to train as an ophthalmologist and now works on our inclusive eye health programme in Malawi.
A day in the life: “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time”
Alinafe Zaina is studying clinical ophthalmology in Malawi with the help of a scholarship provided by Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health programme.
We are… creating inclusive eye health services
We’re working with governments in Uganda and Malawi to improve access to quality eye care services and prevent avoidable blindness.
We are… ensuring pre-schools are inclusive
In Malawi, we work with partners to ensure young children with disabilities can learn, play and develop alongside their peers.
Letters from Malawi
Hear first-hand how people’s lives have been transformed now that trachoma has been eliminated in the country.
Trachoma is eliminated in Malawi
Malawi has become the first country in southern Africa to eliminate the infectious eye disease trachoma, as confirmed by the World Health Organization.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work