Source: PIB
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024, making it the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
- The achievement aligns with the WHO’s 2021–2030 Neglected Tropical Disease Roadmap, which targets the elimination of 20 diseases by 2030.
About Trachoma
- Cause: Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is a leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide.
- Transmission: It spreads through direct contact with infected eye or nasal discharges and via flies that come into contact with these secretions.
- Symptoms: Starts as conjunctivitis (pink eye), leading to repeated infections that cause the eyelashes to turn inward (trichiasis), scraping the cornea and potentially leading to blindness.
- Prevention and Treatment: Early-stage trachoma is treatable with antibiotics like azithromycin. Improving hygiene, sanitation, and access to clean water are key strategies in controlling its spread.
India’s Achievement
- National Effort: The Union Government declared India free from infectious trachoma based on the National Trachoma Prevalence Surveys conducted from 2014 to 2017, showing an active trachoma prevalence of just 0.7%.
- Global Recognition: WHO praised India’s success, citing strong government leadership as a key factor.
Other Recognitions at WHO Regional Conference
- Bhutan was recognized for cervical cancer elimination targets.
- Timor-Leste for eliminating lymphatic filariasis.
- Maldives and Sri Lanka for controlling Hepatitis B in children.
- Six countries were acknowledged for reducing under-five mortality and stillbirth rates.
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