By 2030. A world without trachoma.

Christian Blind Mission aims to end trachoma, a bacterial eye infection that causes blindness or visual impairment in about 1.9 million people worldwide. On World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on 30 January, CBM announces its campaign goal. Trachoma-free by 2030!

 

By the end of 2030, trachoma should no longer pose a risk anywhere. CBM works with the World Health Organization (WHO) and national partners to stop a disease that causes pain and avoidable blindness.

Progress shows this goal is within reach. The global population requiring trachoma interventions fell below 100 million for the first time since records began. As of November 2025, 97.1 million people remained at risk, down from 1.5 billion in 2002. This is a 94 per cent reduction.

In Burundi, CBM worked with national and international partners to achieve elimination. The World Health Organization validated Burundi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem in July 2025. Burundi is the eighth country in the WHO African Region to reach this milestone and the 24th country globally at the time of validation.

On 30 January, the country marks this national achievement.

When a close mother-child relationship is a risk

Momina received surgery for trachomatous trichiasis. With support from Grarbet Tehadiso Mahber GTM Ethiopia, she also learned how to protect her children from this preventable disease through hygiene and awareness.

Momina from Ethiopia knows firsthand the suffering caused by bacterial eye infections. Until recently, the 35-year-old mother of four lived in constant pain. Repeated eye infections scarred her eyelids. Her eyelashes turned inward, scraping her cornea. Fear of blindness pushed her to pull out her own lashes.

A CBM partner team from Grarbet Tehadiso Mahber (GTM) visited Momina’s village and examined residents. Health workers diagnosed trachoma. The disease persists in remote areas with limited water, sanitation, and hygiene. Global action still falls short.

Only eyelid surgery, performed by CBM’s partner GTM, stopped Momina’s blindness.

“I am so happy,” she said afterwards. Relief from pain mattered. Protecting her children mattered more.

Her children faced constant risk of infection. Like 97.1 million others, they live where trachoma still spreads. Close contact drives transmission. Mothers often pass infection to children through daily care. The disease spreads through hand contact, shared towels, and flies landing on the eyes, which transmit the bacteria that cause infection. Those who are infected can pass it on through direct contact between the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.

From one surgery to global elimination

The same interventions that protected Momina’s family guide CBM’s global work. End transmission. Treat infection. Strengthen systems.

CBM supported trachoma elimination in Egypt and Pakistan. Burundi now joins this group. Since 2007, CBM reached more than one million people with treatment and trained health workers to manage trachoma. On World NTD Day, CBM celebrates with the Government of Burundi. Trachoma no longer threatens public health there.

Around 30 countries have achieved elimination. The task ahead remains large. Ethiopia bears the heaviest burden, with 64 per cent of global cases. Sixty-six million people there still face risk. The goal stands firm. Act. Unite. Eliminate trachoma by 2030.