By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The World Health Organization (WHO) validated Saudi Arabia for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem1, making it the fourth country in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this milestone.
Saudi Arabia’s success against trachoma is largely attributed to integrating its national eye care programme with primary health care services and through cross-sector collaboration, including working closely with the ministry of education and that of environment, water and agriculture.
Saudi Arabia and WHO will continue to closely monitor previously endemic areas to ensure that there is a rapid, proportionate response to any resurgence.
Trachoma – the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide – remains endemic in five countries of WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region but progress has substantially reduced the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment by 28 million from 39 million in 2013 to 11 million in 2020.
“This is a remarkable achievement that has saved people from preventable visual impairment or blindness. It is about improving quality of life and well-being,” said Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Trachoma is a devastating eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection spreads from person to person through contaminated fingers, fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water, and sanitation facilities.
Repeated infections in childhood lead to scarring of the inner side of the upper eyelids, resulting in inward turning of the eyelid margin, with the eyelashes touching the eyeball. This is a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis – if left untreated, it can result in visual impairment and blindness.
To eliminate trachoma, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy2 to achieve elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.