Malawi
Sightsavers has been working in Malawi since the 1950s. Our focus in the country is to improve eye health, protect against blinding diseases and make sure children with disabilities receive the support they need.
Malawi 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.
It’s thought that more than 160,000 people in Malawi have visual impairments, with half caused by cataracts.
Sightsavers started working in Malawi in the 1950s. Much of our work in the country involves helping to improve eye care services, particularly in rural areas, so people with visual impairments can be diagnosed and treated.
In Malawi, 8.2 million people live in areas at risk of trachoma, and more than 12,500 people have the advanced stage of the disease that can lead to blindness. Sightsavers is working to eliminate trachoma and provides vital outreach to isolated communities, enabling health workers to reach as many people as possible.
In 2017 we helped to distribute more than 1.2 million antibiotic treatments for trachoma. Surveys show the country is on track to eliminate the disease by 2019.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
How we’re making a difference in Malawi
Saving sight
After years of struggle, Winesi has found happiness and hope for the future thanks to a cataract operation.
Read Winesi’s story
Fighting disease
Sightsavers' trachoma elimination programme launched in Malawi in 2014 to protect people from disease.
Read about the programme
Reaching remote areas
Every Wednesday, Madalitso ventures into rural communities in Malawi to treat people with visual impairments.
Read Madalitso’s story
Your donation could help to protect sight
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Winesi’s update
After years of fear and struggle, Winesi and his family have found happiness and hope for the future thanks to a cataract operation funded by people like you.
March highlights: updates from around the world
Including news from Liberia, where Sightsavers has reopened an eye clinic that has been closed for two years. Plus updates from Senegal, Malawi and more.
Keeping up political momentum on disability and development
By hosting a summit, the UK government is committing to making disability-inclusive development a global priority. We must make sure this political momentum is not lost.
How field surveys can help us fight trachoma
In February 2017, Sightsavers supported our partners with the ambitious task of conducting field surveys for trachoma in Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.
BBC invites Sightsavers to discuss trachoma elimination
Sightsavers Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases Simon Bush was invited onto the radio programme to talk about whether the end is in sight for trachoma.
Eye health: the community approach
The CATCH programme aims to ensure that people in trachoma-endemic areas benefit from improved health through the provision of eye care services.
BBC highlights Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust’s work to eliminate trachoma
The BBC’s live broadcast of the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey included a film about the Trust’s work in Malawi.
Malawi's first Paralympian tells us her story
Taonere Banda created history in Rio this year by being the first and only Malawian to compete in the Paralympics.
WHO global action plan: slowly but surely…
We ensure all our projects have an advocacy component, providing an opportunity for us to explore systemic and structural challenges that impact our work.
From the Paralympics to porridge rations: Malawi’s food crisis
Malawi has been celebrating a historic first in its sporting history, while experiencing hardship and hunger from extreme food shortages.
Malawi's sole Paralympian finishes fourth in 1500m heat
An incredible start in the first heat of the women’s 1500m event wasn’t enough to see Taonere Banda make it through to the final in Rio.
Dr Gerald Msukwa
Dr Msukwa is an ophthalmologist in southern Malawi. He restores sight through cataract operations, and says his passion is helping children to see again.
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