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Sightsavers in Egypt

We’re working with the Egyptian government and our partners across Africa to distribute medication to protect people from the infectious disease trachoma.

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On this page

Egypt is a large, densely populated country in northeast Africa, which has close links to the Middle East.

Universal basic health care is available in Egypt, but it’s often poor quality and can be limited in rural areas. Those who can afford it tend to use private health care.

Trachoma is endemic in Egypt: 11 million people are believed to be at risk from this ancient disease, which was first documented in the country in the medical Ebers Papyrus dating from 1550BC.

Sightsavers began working in Egypt in 2019 and was the first organisation to distribute medication for trachoma in the country. More than 285,000 treatments were given out in the Menia region of northern Egypt, where nearly 10 per cent of children aged one to nine had symptoms of the disease. More treatment campaigns are being planned in other districts.

Facts about Egypt

  • Population: 109 million
  • Capital: Cairo
  • Official language: Arabic
  • Human development index (HDI) ranking: 97 (high)

Two health care workers walk through the streets during a mass drug administration campaign for trachoma in Egypt.

Antibiotics were distributed by health workers in the city of Matay to help combat trachoma.

Two health care workers walk through the streets during a mass drug administration campaign for trachoma in Egypt.

How you can help

Our charity work in Egypt is helping to protect people from the infectious disease trachoma, but there’s still more we need to do to reach everyone.

With your support, we want to expand our treatment campaigns to other areas in Egypt 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 in Egypt. 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 Egypt, would like more information about our programmes or wish to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email [email protected]

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