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.

A man is being led across a river by his wife. The water of the river is just below their knees.

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.

I am so happy. I can see what everyone is wearing – I can see all the colours. I am so thankful for this miracle!

Nazondani, cataract patient from Malawi

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

Three women standing together with a group of men in the background.

Fighting disease

Sightsavers' trachoma elimination programme launched in Malawi in 2014 to protect people from disease.
Read about the programme

Madalitso Nyangulu sitting on his motorcycle.

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

DONATE

More from Malawi

Two medical staff clean eyes of men in traditional african dress.

From the field /

News about a programme that has distributed more than 137,000 pairs of glasses across eight countries. Plus updates from Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more.

Focus / Eye health /

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.

Health worker Dr Anselmo is interviewed for the TV advert.

From the field /

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.

Blogs / Disability rights /

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.

A riverbed with green bushes and trees at its edges.

Blogs / Fighting disease /

In February 2017, Sightsavers supported our partners with the ambitious task of conducting field surveys for trachoma in Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.

Trachoma patient Amadu Asama from Ghana is surrounded by her grandchildren following her successful operation.

News / Eye health /

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.

A group of villagers sit on the grass while waiting to be screened for eye conditions at a health centre in Uganda.

Blogs / Eye health /

The CATCH programme aims to ensure that people in trachoma-endemic areas benefit from improved health through the provision of eye care services.

Sightsavers Senior Project Manager Bright Chiwaula with a patient following her trachoma operation.

News / Eye health /

The BBC’s live broadcast of the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey included a film about the Trust’s work in Malawi.

News / Disability rights /

Taonere Banda created history in Rio this year by being the first and only Malawian to compete in the Paralympics.

A group of villagers sit on the ground under a tree during a CATCH screening camp in Mozambique.

Blogs / Eye health /

We ensure all our projects have an advocacy component, providing an opportunity for us to explore systemic and structural challenges that impact our work.

A coach training a young woman in an empty stadium.

From the field / Disability rights /

Malawi has been celebrating a historic first in its sporting history, while experiencing hardship and hunger from extreme food shortages.

Taonere Banda and nine other competitors take their marks on the start line for the 1500m heat at the Paralympics in Rio.

News / Disability rights /

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.

We save sight in 30 countries worldwide

Where we work

We work to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Find out how your support can make a huge difference and change lives.

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.