Our work in Mali

In Mali we focus on fighting and preventing diseases such as river blindness, and treating eye conditions such as cataracts.

Diokoura standing with the trachoma surgeon, Modibo Sanogo, in Mali.

Debilitating diseases such as river blindness are a major public health problem in Mali.

It’s thought that five million people need medication to protect them against river blindness, and more than 15 million people are at risk of lymphatic filariasis.

Sightsavers has been working in Mali since 1991, and is fighting these diseases by distributing medication that can prevent them spreading.

We’re also working to reduce blindness in Mali by training eye specialists and health workers, and recruiting community volunteers to distribute medication. We educate communities about good hygiene, carry out surgery for patients suffering from cataracts and trachoma, and screen people for refractive error.

Sightsavers’ social inclusion work in Mali aims to empower who are visually impaired, enabling them to participate in their community. We provide support to help children with visual impairments to go to school, offer eye health consultations and monitor the progress of each child that is enrolled.

The day they removed the bandages from my eyes after surgery, I felt so happy because it was like a new life for me.

Mariam, cataract patient from Mali

How we’re making a difference in Mali

Mobile surgeon Boubacar Fomba uses a torch to examine a patient's eyes in Mali.

Fighting disease

Sightsavers mobile surgeon Boubacar Fomba travels to rural Mali to treat patients in the field and gather vital data about trachoma.
Read Boubacar’s story

Mafoune and her teacher smiling and embracing in front of a classroom blackboard.

Inclusive education

Eleven-year-old Mafoune has low vision and used to struggle at school. But thanks to our inclusive education project, she now excels in class.
Read Mafoune’s story

Sayon sitting in her bedroom, looking down with a big smile.

Restoring vision

Sayon suffered for years with trachoma, and risked going blind. After a straightforward operation, she is now free from this painful disease.
Read Sayon’s story

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February 2020

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Sightsavers has been working in Burkina Faso to eliminate trachoma and river blindness, thanks to our partnership with Fondation L’Occitane.

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A group of trachoma surgeons in Zambia wearing scrubs and smiling.

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May 2019

A child in Cote d'Ivoire has their eyes checked for signs of trachoma.

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April 2019

A group of musicians play guitar on stage, with Sightsavers banners in the background.

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News about Sightsavers' fundraising gala in Dubai, plus updates from Sierra Leone, Zambia and Mozambique.

March 2019

A volunteer in Cote d'Ivoire learns how to spot trachoma by examining a child's eyes.

From the field /

An update from Sightsavers’ India office, which has won several high-profile awards for its NGO work. Plus news from Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.

February 2019

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.

November 2018

A group of patients in Kenya smile and laugh following their cataract surgery.

From the field /

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October 2018

Felix in a white coat sitting behind some ophthalmology equipment.

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News from Zambia, where Sightsavers helped Felix to gain his ophthalmology diploma. Plus news from Guinea, Togo and more.

September 2018

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.

Our work in Mali

In Mali we focus on fighting and preventing diseases such as river blindness, and treating eye conditions such as cataracts.

Debilitating diseases such as river blindness are a major public health problem in Mali.