Sightsavers in The Gambia

We worked with the government in The Gambia and our partners to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.

The Gambia is the smallest nation in West Africa. Its namesake, the Gambia River, flows through the country.

The Gambian government is committed to universal health coverage and all residents can access healthcare for a fee. However, the public system is unfunded and lacks vital medicines, so many Gambians face additional costs if they use private services during their treatment.

Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease that can cause blindness, used to be endemic in many parts of the country. Sightsavers worked with the ministry of health to control and eliminate trachoma by distributing antibiotics, treating people with and monitoring cases. In April 2021, the World Health Organization confirmed that The Gambia had eliminated trachoma as a public health issue.

We began working in The Gambia in 1986. Our work in the country ended in 2021 when trachoma was eliminated.

The Gambia facts

  • Population: 2.5 million
  • Capital: Banjul
  • Official language: English
  • Human development index (HDI) ranking: 170 (low)

A large group of women dance and clap while celebrating the elimination of trachoma in The Gambia.
The elimination of trachoma in The Gambia is a huge achievement. After decades of hard work, our children can grow up without fear of this disease.
Balla Musa Joof, Sightsavers’ country director for The Gambia
A large group of women dance and clap while celebrating the elimination of trachoma in The Gambia.

How you can help

Our work in The Gambia helped to protect people from trachoma and supported the country to eliminate the infectious disease as a public health problem.

With your support, we want to expand our treatment campaigns in other countries in Africa where children and adults are at a high risk of trachoma, which can cause pain and permanent blindness if left untreated. To do this, we need your help.

Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our work. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.

I’d like to get involved...

Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in The Gambia, would like details about our programmes or want to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email [email protected]

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