Rapid Fire
India Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem
- 10 Oct 2024
- 2 min read
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized India for eliminating Trachoma as a public health issue.
- Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis, which can lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated.
- It spreads through contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat secretions of infected individuals.
- It is categorised as a neglected tropical disease and affects around 150 million people globally, with 6 million at risk of blindness.
- Trachoma was a leading cause of blindness in India during the 1950s-60s. India launched the National Trachoma Control Program in 1963, which was later integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
- In 1971, Trachoma caused 5% of blindness in India, now reduced to less than 1% through the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) and the WHO SAFE strategy.
- India was declared free from infective Trachoma in 2017, with ongoing surveillance from 2019 to 2024.
- The National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT only) Survey was conducted in 200 endemic districts from 2021-24 as part of WHO's mandate.
- Reports compiled by the NPCBVI team were submitted to WHO for final verification, leading to the declaration that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.
Read more: Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024
