Ousman has had low vision since he was a small boy, but finds school a lot easier since getting a telescope to help him read. © Jenny Matthews / Sightsavers

The Gambia

One of Africa's smallest countries, The Gambia stretches 320 km along The Gambia River. Unlike many of its West African neighbours, it has enjoyed long spells of stability since independence. However, it's health care facilities are inadequate and it has a severe lack of health care workers, with only four doctors to every 100,000 people, among the lowest in Africa.

Sightsavers in Gambia

Sightsavers has been active in The Gambia since the 1950s. Together with our partners, we advocate eye care awareness and work in rural and urban areas to identify and treat eye problems such as trachoma.

We also support the inclusion of blind and visually impaired children in mainstream schools by training special needs teachers and providing resources.

Training local people to become eye care specialists is another important part of our work in The Gambia.

Inclusive education

Saving sight in The Gambia

Friends of the eye

Achievements

 

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

• The treatment of 116,422 people for sight related problems
• 3,549 cataract operations
• 34,288 antibiotic treatments for trachoma

Find Out More

 

Cataract