WHO certifies India’s triumph over trachoma

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against preventable blindness.

 The news positions India alongside Nepal and Myanmar in WHO’s South-East Asia region — and 19 other countries worldwide — as having overcome this scourge.

India’s journey to elimination began in 1963 when its Ministry of Health and Family Welfare initiated a trachoma control project with support from WHO and UNICEF. This effort evolved into a comprehensive programme that implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.

Trachoma, a leading cause of blindness globally, has been a formidable challenge in India for decades. It is an eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection spreads from person to person through contaminated fingers, flies and surfaces bearing discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.

Environmental risk factors for transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water, and sanitation facilities.

Repeated infections in childhood lead to scarring of the inner side of the upper eyelids, resulting in inward turning of the eyelid margin, with the eyelashes touching the eyeball. This is a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis – if left untreated, it can result in visual impairment and even blindness.

“India’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is a testimony to the country’s commitment to alleviating the suffering that millions have faced from this debilitating disease,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, emphasized: "India's success is an inspiration for other nations striving to eliminate trachoma and improve public health." 

Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region highlighted that India’s success stems from strong government leadership and the commitment of ophthalmologists and healthcare workers.

Click here to read more from WHO on the milestone.