Free from the threat of blindness. These children in Kaduna State in Nigeria can safely enjoy bathing in the river. © Kate Holt / Sightsavers

River blindness in Nigeria

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a major cause of blindness in Africa: around 35 million people are currently infected, and approximately 140 million people are at risk of infection.

Sightsavers is working to combat the disease in Nigeria, through distributing an annual dose of the drug Mectizan®.

The term ‘river blindness' was coined by our founder Sir John Wilson, because it is spread by the bite of the black fly that breeds by the oxygen-high fast-flowing rivers people rely on for washing, drinking and farming.

It has been identified by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), ‘neglected' because they aren't mentioned in the Millennium Development Goals. This means they often aren't included in important development discussions, and don't receive the attention or funding they need. These diseases affect the poorest and most marginalized communities on the planet, and thrive on conditions of poverty so it is a vicious cycle.

As well as eventually leading to blindness, other symptoms are skin nodules and discolouration, and unbearable itching.

 

Jacob, aged 9, from Magashanu Village is being measured to determine what dose of Mectizan® he should take. His dad, Haggai, a welder by trade, has been a volunteer distributing the drug for two years now. Jacob says: "I want to be a teacher when I grow up so that I can teach others." He dutifully does his homework every day, and helps his little sister Helen with hers. One of his hobbies is football. He says his team practices and plays against a neighbouring community, and has won three matches.

Achievements

 

In 2010 in Nigeria, we supported our partners to carry out:

• The treatment of 116,373 people for sight related problems
• 8,733 cataract operations
• The protection of 2.9 million people against river blindness