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.
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 storyYaya 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
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The Astellas Global Health Foundation is giving US$536,700 to help combat river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and intestinal worms.
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.
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.
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.
Schools in Kenya, Ethiopia and Guinea are using educational board games to teach children about the importance of good hygiene to help eliminate trachoma.