Tunisia eliminated trachoma as a public health problem which is a major milestone in the country’s public health journey, coming after decades of sustained national effort.
With this validation, Tunisia becomes the 14th country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and 31st country in the world, WHO says.
Trachoma is closely linked to limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene, and hits vulnerable populations hardest. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge.
In the early to mid-20th century, trachoma was endemic in Tunisia, affecting at least half of the population, especially in its southern regions.
In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma.
As repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated, WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.
Validating Tunisia WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says “I congratulate Tunisia on this historic public health achievement.”
Earlier, WHO also has validated Algeria, Australia, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, WHO informed.
Tunisia ran a comprehensive and sustained response to trachoma that turned a once-heavy health burden into a success story. The country also ran nationwide screening and treatment campaigns, integrated eye care into primary care and school health programmes and worked with communities to promote good hygiene.
A robust post-validation surveillance system is now in place to detect any return of disease at an early stage. This system includes provision for ongoing case management and training of health professionals.
