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.
Dr Moira Chinthambi received a Sightsavers scholarship to train as an ophthalmologist and now works on our inclusive eye health programme in Malawi.
Alinafe Zaina is studying clinical ophthalmology in Malawi with the help of a scholarship provided by Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health programme.
We’re working with governments in Uganda and Malawi to improve access to quality eye care services and prevent avoidable blindness.
In Malawi, we work with partners to ensure young children with disabilities can learn, play and develop alongside their peers.
Hear first-hand how people’s lives have been transformed now that trachoma has been eliminated in the country.
Malawi has become the first country in southern Africa to eliminate the infectious eye disease trachoma, as confirmed by the World Health Organization.