Our work in 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 and in 2018, we performed 596 operations for people with the advance stages of the disease. 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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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.
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