© CBM

Sight for Africa: Eliminating trachoma in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Millions in the Democratic Republic of Congo are at risk of blindness from Trachoma due to lack of care and awareness. The Sight for Africa project will provide essential surgeries to people.

With an estimated 7 million people at risk, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bears one of the heaviest burdens of trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. In the DRC, 38 health zones are endemic to this neglected tropical disease, with women and children disproportionately affected. Left untreated, repeated infections lead to irreversible blindness.

Sightsavers is partnering with CBM to deliver essential medical care and surgeries for those affected by trachoma. The Sight for Africa project will focus on trachoma surgery and enhance national healthcare systems.

Understanding the Challenge

Trachoma mapping in the DRC between 2014 and 2024 suggests that almost 20,000 people require trachoma trachiasis (TT) surgery. However, access to treatment remains a significant challenge due to a shortage of trained surgeons, difficulties in identifying and reaching patients, and infrastructural limitations.

The Sight for Africa project aims to perform at least 4,000 surgeries over three years.

The project at a glance

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•    Lead Organisation: CBM

•    Supported by: Sightsavers

•    Country: The Democratic Republic of Congo

•    Focus: Elimination of trachomatous trichiasis (TT), capacity strengthening, and inclusive healthcare delivery

•    Duration: 2025–2027

•    At-risk population: 7 million people

•    People in need of TT surgery: 19,881 (est.)

•    Goal: Perform 4,000+ TT surgeries and strengthen systems for long-term impact

 

A glimpse of before and after TT surgeries from past projects.

  • © CBM
  • © CBM
  • © CBM
  • © CBM

Scaling up surgical interventions

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Community volunteers are distributing drugs in DRC. CBM and the Ministry of Health to conduct Mass Drug Distribution.

Only four certified TT surgeons are operating in the entire country, highlighting the urgent need for more specialists.

The project is prioritising the training of local surgeons from general referral hospitals, ensuring the sustainability of TT management. Twenty additional doctors will be trained in WHO-recommended TT surgical techniques to scale up operations and increase service delivery in underserved regions.

Community-led outreach

We are training over 750 Case Finders using visual aids to enhance their ability to identify trachomatous disease (TT). To ensure clinical accuracy, Senior Ophthalmology Technicians will be deployed for confirmation of diagnoses.

To facilitate treatment, surgical sites will be established within local health centres, ensuring accessibility. For those living far from these sites, transportation will be provided to eliminate barriers to care.

Additionally, we are launching awareness campaigns aimed at breaking the stigma associated with the condition and promoting better hygiene practices within the community.

Strengthening Systems

The DRC’s current Trachoma Action Plan (TAP), developed in 2016, is outdated due to recent epidemiological shifts. The delay in updating the plan has hindered a coordinated national response to trachoma.

Under this project, the national NTD programme will update the TAP to reflect the latest data and guide elimination efforts from 2025 to 2030, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to high-burden areas.

CBM will provide technical guidance to help DRC develop its Trachoma Elimination Dossier for WHO validation

 

Towards a trachoma-free DRC

By aligning with the WHO’s NTD Roadmap 2030, CBM and its partners are committed to reducing TT prevalence to below 0.2%, marking a significant step toward eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

Through sustained partnerships, local capacity building, and targeted interventions, the DRC is moving closer to a future where trachoma is no longer a threat. The Sight for Africa project represents hope for a healthier, more inclusive society.

 

Quick facts about Sight for Africa project

Q: Why is the number of surgeries still low?

A: Barriers include patient identification, transport logistics, and limited surgical capacity. The project directly addresses these gaps with outreach, training, and system upgrades.

Q: Why invest in trachoma elimination?

A: Trachoma costs the global economy $5.3B annually in lost productivity—every $1 invested yields $28 in economic returns (WHO).

Q: Is this sustainable beyond the project?

A: Yes. We’re building national-level surgical training, case-finding systems, and planning frameworks so local institutions can continue long after the project closes.

Q: How does this align with global goals?

A: Fully aligned with the WHO NTD Roadmap 2030—targeting <0.2% TT prevalence and complete trachoma elimination.

Q: How does CBM ensure accountability?

A: Rigorous monitoring via surgical audits, third-party evaluations, and real-time data tracking with local partners.

Q: Why partner with CBM?

A: Over 115 years of expertise in disability-inclusive development. Trusted by global partners for large-scale, inclusive health interventions. A proven track record in NTD programmes, disability inclusion, and strengthening national systems. Collaborates closely with local ministries and organisations.

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