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According to an official report, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared India free from trachoma. This milestone is a significant public health achievement and comes after years of dedicated efforts by the government. It has worked hard to protect the vision of millions, emphasizing the importance of healthy eyesight for every individual. Trachoma, a highly contagious bacterial infection, has been a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
According to WHO, estimated 150 million people worldwide are affected by Trachoma and 6 million of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling complications.
India’s journey to becoming trachoma-free showcases the strength of teamwork in public health and community support. By adopting the WHO SAFE strategy, the country has successfully lowered the rates of this serious eye disease. The cooperation among government bodies, healthcare workers, and international partners has been key to this success. As India joins other nations that have eradicated trachoma as a public health issue, it highlights the need for ongoing efforts, consistent public health programs, and a dedication to ensuring that future generations can enjoy good eyesight.
Clear eyesight is one of life’s most precious gifts, essential for daily activities, education, and overall well-being. However, several diseases, such as trachoma, pose serious threats to eyesight, potentially leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated.
Trachoma is a devastating eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium “Chlamydia trachomatis”. The primary source of trachoma infection is the eye secretions of infected individuals, it can be transmitted through several routes, including “close physical contact, sharing clothes/articles, houseflies, coughing, sneezing and other environmental risk factors. Children are more vulnerable to trachoma.
During the 1950s and 60s, trachoma was a significant public health concern in India. States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and the Nicobar Islands were heavily impacted.
Recognizing the urgent need to combat the trachoma health crisis, India implemented several key interventions under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). A pivotal moment in this effort was the adoption of the WHO SAFE strategy, which aimed not only to treat existing cases but also to prevent future infections through improved hygiene practices.
In 2005, trachoma accounted for 4% of all blindness cases in India. Remarkably, by 2018, this figure declined to just 0.008%. Through continuous efforts, India has made significant strides toward eradicating trachoma. By 2017, India was declared free from infective trachoma. From 2019 to 2024, India continued its surveillance of trachoma cases across all districts to ensure that the infection did not re-emerge. This ongoing monitoring is crucial for maintaining the hard-won status of being trachoma-free, demonstrating India’s dedication to safeguarding the eye health of its citizens and preventing avoidable blindness.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised India’s commitment to alleviating the suffering caused by trachoma, emphasizing the vital collaboration among the government, healthcare professionals, and international partners that made this milestone possible.
India now stands alongside Nepal, Myanmar, and 19 other countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health issue. However, the disease continues to be a challenge in 39 different nations, affecting approximately 1.9 million people globally and leading to irreversible blindness in many cases.
Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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