DONATE

Our work in The Gambia

In The Gambia, Sightsavers’ work has focused on eliminating trachoma, an infectious disease that can cause immense pain and blindness.

Past trichiasis patient Sarjo sits outside with her arm around her husband Al

Sightsavers has been working with The Gambia’s ministry of health and social welfare to control and eliminate trachoma.

In April 2021, The Gambia became the second country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma, as confirmed by the World Health Organization, ensuring that millions of people will no longer have their sight threatened by this potentially blinding disease. Trachoma has already been eliminated in Ghana, as validated by WHO in June 2018.

We helped to achieve this milestone by treating people with advanced stages of the disease, often through surgery, and monitoring active cases of trachoma across the country. We also helped to distribute antibiotics to protect against the disease.

Sightsavers also aims to increase the number of people trained to diagnose and treat refractive error.  We have provided spectacles for those who need them, and helped to set up a new vision centre in the country, which we publicised through radio shows, billboards and posters.

In previous years we’ve also helped to diagnose and treat cataracts in The Gambia, providing sight-saving surgery to restore people’s vision.

At a glance

Total population
  • 2.1 million

  • What we focus on
  • Refractive error
  • Trachoma
  • Community volunteer shows students how to wash their faces.

    The Gambia’s journey to trachoma elimination

    In April 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that The Gambia has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Here, four people tell their stories about reaching this life-changing milestone.

    Read the story
    A male trachoma patient sitting outside, smiling.

    How we’re making a difference

    Yaya caught trachoma four years ago. As his sight deteriorated, he suffered constant pain and was unable to fulfil his duties as head of the village. But thanks to a straightforward operation, the pain is gone and he is once again leading his community. Read Yaya’s story

    Your donation could help to protect sight

    DONATE

    More from western Africa

    During a press interview in Senegal, a man faces a video camera while speaking into a microphone. Three fellow event attendees are standing behind him.
    sightsavers_news

    Senegal launches action plan to collect high-quality inclusive data

    The initiative outlines the steps needed to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in official data, which will inform the government’s planning and monitoring.

    December 2022
    A young boy drinks water after receiving preventative medication for lymphatic filariasis in Guinea-Bissau.
    sightsavers_news

    Sightsavers awarded grant to fight neglected tropical diseases in Guinea-Bissau

    The Astellas Global Health Foundation is giving US$536,700 to help combat river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and intestinal worms.

    December 2022
    A woman sits talking on a mobile phone.
    sightsavers_news

    Sightsavers wins Zero Project award for work on political participation

    The prize was awarded for our inclusion project which promotes the rights of people with disabilities to participate in civic and political life in Cameroon and Senegal.

    December 2022
    A woman with crutches walks into a building.
    Sightsavers Reports

    We are… promoting inclusive elections

    We’re working with partners in Cameroon and Senegal to ensure people with disabilities are able to take part in every stage of the political process.

    A boy with crutches sits with his friends in the playground during lunch break at school in Senegal.
    Sightsavers Reports

    In Senegal, we’re ensuring all children are able to go to school

    Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Your donations are helping to train teachers so they can welcome children with visual impairments and other disabilities into the classroom.

    Six schoolchildren sit on the floor around a board game that they're playing.
    Sightsavers from the field

    Captain Clean: teaching children about hygiene through games

    Schools in Kenya, Ethiopia and Guinea are using educational board games to teach children about the importance of good hygiene to help eliminate trachoma.

    June 2022

    We save sight in 30 countries worldwide

    Where we work