Our work in Tanzania
Sightsavers has been working in Tanzania since the 1970s to protect sight and prevent blinding diseases. In 2020, we helped to carry out 5,000 sight-saving operations in the country.
In Tanzania, many people live in poorer or more remote areas and access to healthcare can be difficult.
All five of the most common neglected tropical diseases are present here: trachoma, river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis (known as ‘snail fever’), and soil-transmitted helminths (AKA intestinal worms).
Sightsavers has been working in the country since the 1970s, helping to support and strengthen local eye care systems to tackle preventable blindness. We provide specialist training for health workers, increase public awareness of eye care and lobby the government to ensure eye care is universally available.
Our programmes in Tanzania mainly focus on preventing and treating trachoma, and providing cataract operations for those who need them. We also work to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Previous programmes
How we’re making a difference in Tanzania
Treating cataracts
Two-year-old Bakir was born with cataracts that severely affected his sight. But a straightforward operation restored his vision and his hope.
Read Bakir’s story
Fighting trachoma
After having an operation to treat trachoma, Fatuma learned about the importance of washing her face to prevent the disease reoccuring.
Read about trachoma prevention
Reaching everyone
Sightsavers’ Sarah Filbey visited an island near Zanzibar to find out how we’re helping to restore sight in remote, far-flung communities.
Read about Sarah’s trip
Your donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from Tanzania
“Many people who would have gone blind have had their sight restored”
Project coordinator Magdalena Focus talks about the challenges and successes of the community inclusive eye health project in Tanzania in 2020.
A bright future: saving sight in Tanzania
Across Tanzania, six newly qualified ophthalmic assistants are putting their skills to work supporting remote eye screening camps and testing sight in local hospitals.
January 2021 updates: highlights from around the world
In Côte d’Ivoire, eye health staff have been working to ensure eye surgery is COVID-safe. Plus news from Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Ghana and more
Three Sightsavers nominees win Vision Excellence awards
Three Sightsavers nominees from Tanzania have received recognition in the 2020 IAPB Vision Excellence awards.
How one project touched 34 million lives
As the 17-year-long Seeing is Believing project comes to an end, Imran Khan goes behind the scenes to reveal why it has made such an impact.
Paolo's story
Paolo's family could not understand why he kept having problems with his eyes. Thankfully, training for a Sightsavers-supported programme was taking place nearby.
July updates: highlights from around the world
A young boy has his sight restored in Nigeria, plus news from Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania and Ghana.
Fatuma's story
Fatuma is a grandmother from Ruangwa, Tanzania suffering with advanced trachoma. We follow her journey from near-blindness to the chance to see once again.
COVID-19: Africa’s economic recovery must leave no one behind
Many people with disabilities work in the informal sector. Unless they can leave their house every day, they struggle to meet their basic needs. For them, the situation is dire.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work