Tehran, 6 August —The world celebrated Iraq's achievement in eliminating trachoma, a debilitating eye disease, from its public health concerns. The accomplishment marks Iraq as the 50th nation to be acknowledged by WHO for conquering a neglected tropical disease. This progress positions the global community halfway towards the ambitious goal of 100 countries free of this disease by 2030.
Iraq's journey to this triumph began in 2012 when it established a dedicated national program to combat trachoma. This effort involved a comprehensive strategy, including the development of a surveillance system to identify and manage cases, along with collaboration between healthcare professionals, educators, and specialists. Thanks to the concerted actions of thousands of trained individuals, Iraq has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health concern.
Trachoma, once the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, is still prevalent in six countries within WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, remarkable progress has been made, drastically reducing the number of individuals needing antibiotic treatment for trachoma elimination from 39 million in 2013 to 6.9 million in April 2023.
Iraq's accomplishment aligns with the efforts of 17 other nations globally that have achieved WHO validation for eliminating trachoma. This remarkable stride signifies a monumental step forward in global health.
Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, spreads through bacterial infection and has historically caused blindness. Iraq's success in eliminating this disease is a heartening victory for humanity's collective pursuit of improved health and well-being. It reflects not only Iraq's dedication but also the power of global collaboration and medical advancements in tackling health challenges that impact vulnerable populations.
Source: WHO. "Iraq eliminates trachoma as a public health problem". https://www.who.int/news/item/31-07-2023-iraq-eliminates-trachoma-as-a-public-health-problem. 31 July 2023. [Accessed: 5 August 2023].
Edited by Aditya Vinjimoor.
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