October 1, 2024, marked a historic achievement for eye health and blindness prevention in Pakistan. On this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognised Pakistan as having eliminated trachoma as a public health concern. With this milestone, Pakistan joined 19 countries worldwide and became the sixth nation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to reach this significant accomplishment.
Pakistan trachoma free
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) can be prevented, controlled and eliminated. As of December 2024, 54 countries have succeeded in eliminating at least one NTD, a significant step towards the World Health Organization's goal of having 100 countries eliminate at least one NTD by 2030. Several countries have eliminated two, three or four NTDs. Globally, 75 elimination processes have been successfully completed and acknowledged by WHO. In 2024, seven countries eliminated one NTD. CBM is proud to have contributed to eliminating trachoma in Pakistan in 2024.
What then does it mean?
When a country achieves trachoma elimination, it means the disease is no longer a public health problem in that country. Specifically, it indicates that the country has reduced the prevalence of the disease to levels that no longer pose a significant risk to the population. WHO recognises this status based on strict criteria.
It was not until the early 2000s that the elimination programme was revived under the stewardship of Prof Mohammad Daud Khan, the National Coordinator of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness in Pakistan. In 2000, WHO identified Pakistan as one of the 47 priority countries for trachoma elimination under its Global Elimination of Trachoma 2020 (GET 2020) programme.
The revived National Trachoma Control Programme began in 2002 with a National Trachoma Rapid Assessment (TRA) that identified priority districts/areas where active trachoma and trichiasis (an in-turning of the eyelashes caused by trachoma infection that causes corneal opacity leading to blindness) were prevalent.
A National Trachoma Task Force (NTTF) was constituted under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness. The NTTF began its task of mobilising resources and establishing protocols for the Mass Drug Administration of Azithromycin. This was aimed at treating active trachoma. They also focused on training trichiasis surgeons. Additionally, they conducted community-directed awareness and prevention interventions. These initiatives involved implementing the WHO SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face Washing, Environmental Improvement) for trachoma.
This journey lasted a little over two decades. Today, we look back with great satisfaction and pride as a major preventable and treatable blinding disease has been successfully eliminated from Pakistan.
This would not have been possible without support from international non-governmental organisations like Christian Blind Mission, Fred Hollows Foundation, Sightsavers and other international partners and corporate donors. Equally important was the active involvement of the people of Pakistan, who embraced awareness efforts, participated in treatment initiatives, and championed healthier practices to protect their communities from trachoma.
The elimination of trachoma in Pakistan is an outstanding example of an enduring partnership between the public, non-government and private/corporate sectors and the stellar, sustained and determined leadership of the National Eye Health Programme.