Our work in Zambia
Sightsavers is working towards eliminating blinding trachoma in Zambia. Each year, we distribute hundreds of thousands of treatments to help control the spread of the disease and protect people’s sight.
Two-thirds of Zambia’s population live in poverty, and it’s thought that one in 10 people has some form of visual impairment.
More than 2.6 million people live in areas affected by trachoma. We’re working to eliminate the disease in Zambia by distributing medication, providing eye surgery and educating communities about the importance of good hygiene.
Our work in the country also involves making sure eye health services are available for everyone, particularly marginalised groups such as women and people with disabilities. We’ve carried out research into gender and eye health in Zambia to find out how eye problems affect men and women differently, and to learn how we can address these issues. By preventing blindness, we ensure that people can continue to take care of their families, support themselves and earn a living.
We also support inclusive education in Zambia to ensure children with disabilities are able to go to school. A new four-year project launches in February 2022 to improve educational opportunities for children and young people with disabilities in the Chinsali district.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Previous programmes
How we’re making a difference in Zambia
Reaching remote areas
Mr Ndalela is the only eye surgeon in Senanga who can carry out tricky procedures. He’s able to build close relationships within the community.
Read Mr Ndalela’s story
Fighting disease
Namukolo had trachoma, and her eyes were causing her immense pain. After treatment, the pain is gone and she can return to school.
Read Namukolo’s story
Training health workers
Sightsavers' Alistair Burnett visited a hospital in southern Zambia to learn how six weeks of staff training can improve eye care for all.
Read Alistair’s trip report
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Trachoma is eliminated in Malawi
Malawi has become the first country in southern Africa to eliminate the infectious eye disease trachoma, as confirmed by the World Health Organization.
Priscilla's story
Dr Priscilla Mhango is an eye health hero, saving sight in Malawi. She’s one of the talented cataract surgeons whose training was supported by Sightsavers.
“I’m so happy I can see my grandfather again!”
Mary has regained her sight and independence after a successful cataracts operation, enabling her to return to school and play with other children.
“The best part of my job is seeing a transformation in someone’s life”
Ophthalmic nurse Jeremiah Gwafa was first inspired to work in eye health as a child, after seeing the impact of blindness on his own family.
“I was the first trachoma surgeon in my region”
Meet Samson, a trachoma surgeon who’s saving people’s sight by performing pop-up operations and outreach in remote communities in Kenya.
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.
Sightsavers and partners launch US$6 million inclusion and labour rights programme
The Global Labor Program, part of the Inclusive Futures initiative, aims to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities and improve labour rights at two large Kenyan companies.
The IT Bridge Academy: what’s next for students?
In Kenya, students who have been studying IT as part of a Sightsavers initiative are now looking ahead to their graduation, internships and future careers.
The Global Disability Summit: views from Pakistan and Kenya
Our country office teams in Pakistan and Kenya spoke to the organisations of people with disabilities they work with about their hopes for the upcoming Global Disability Summit.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work