Sightsavers features in Channel 4 documentary

The work of international eye care charity Sightsavers is explored in a documentary presented by reporter and wheelchair basketball athlete, Ade Adepitan, first aired last Friday evening (16 October).

Featuring in Channel 4’s Unreported World: The Fight for Sight, the programme explores the challenges of treating people with cataracts in rural Malawi.

The episode highlights the problems that people living with preventable blindness in developing countries face, as well as the work carried out by Sightsavers to locate, diagnose and provide care for those in need.

Mr Adepitan shadows Rex Bwana-Usi, an ophthalmic clinical officer, as he goes about his working day, travelling to remote screening camps to diagnose and refer patients for surgery where necessary.

Mr Bwana-Usi works for the Malawi Ministry of Health and is also supported by Sightsavers. He covers villages spread over 3,000 square miles of bush, using his motorcycle to get around.

Speaking about his time in Malawi filming, Mr Adepitan said: “I never thought it would come to a time when eyesight is a luxury. All these people need to get their sight back because, if there’s one place where it’s going to be difficult to have a disability or be blind, I think it’s here in Malawi. Life is tough.”

Sightsavers is one year through its Million Miracles appeal, a campaign launched on World Sight Day 2014 which aims to raise enough funds to carry out one million sight-restoring operations by 2017.

Until 15 December, all donations made to Sightsavers by the UK public will be matched pound for pound by the UK government. For more information, visit the campaign’s website.

You can watch the documentary on the Channel 4 website here.