Imagine a world free from a disease that has plagued humanity for millennia. Well, that world is a little closer today! Egypt has triumphantly eradicated trachoma as a public health threat, a monumental achievement that deserves our full attention. This milestone, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), marks Egypt as the seventh nation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to conquer this ancient affliction. Globally, this brings the total number of countries that have eliminated trachoma to 27!
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, celebrated Egypt's success, highlighting the power of unwavering national leadership, robust surveillance systems, and active community involvement. This victory is a testament to what can be achieved when a nation unites against a common enemy.
But here's where it gets controversial... Trachoma, though defeated in Egypt, continues to cast a shadow over 30 other countries, causing blindness or visual impairment for approximately 1.9 million individuals. The heartbreaking reality is that blindness caused by trachoma is often irreversible. As of April 2025, a staggering 103 million people still reside in areas where trachoma thrives, putting them at risk.
A Century-Long Battle:
Trachoma's presence in Egypt stretches back over 3,000 years. Public health efforts began in the early 20th century, with pioneering work by Sir Arthur Ferguson MacCallan, who established eye hospitals and laid the foundation for global trachoma control. However, by the 1980s, the disease still inflicted blindness on many adults and affected over half the children in some Nile Delta communities.
Since 2002, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population, in collaboration with the WHO and other partners, has implemented the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy: Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics to clear the infection, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.
Between 2015 and 2025, extensive mapping and surveillance across Egypt's 27 governorates revealed a steady decline in active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years, with no significant cases of blindness in adults. Both indicators are now below the WHO elimination prevalence thresholds nationwide. In 2024, Egypt integrated trachoma surveillance into its national electronic disease reporting system, which should facilitate rapid response to any future cases.
Professor Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, emphasized that this achievement reflects Egypt's commitment to equitable healthcare, as well as the positive impact of initiatives like Haya Karima, which have expanded access to essential services in rural communities.
This is not Egypt's first victory against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In 2018, the country was validated by the WHO for eliminating lymphatic filariasis. Globally, 58 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, with 9 of them located in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Dr. Nima Abid, WHO Representative to Egypt, highlighted that this milestone adds to Egypt's impressive track record in eliminating communicable diseases, including polio, measles, rubella, and most recently, malaria. She noted that Egypt's success serves as an inspiration for other nations in the region and beyond.
The Power of Collaboration:
Egypt's triumph over trachoma is a result of strong national leadership, coordinated action, and extensive collaboration across sectors. The WHO worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Population, providing technical guidance, monitoring, and validation support. The achievement was made possible through the contributions of numerous partners, including the Haya Karima Foundation and the International Trachoma Initiative.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, congratulated Egypt on this historic achievement, emphasizing that elimination is possible through collaboration and persistence.
About Trachoma and Neglected Tropical Diseases
Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, spreads through contact with infected eye discharges. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the inner eyelid, causing eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the cornea, a painful condition that can lead to blindness.
In 1998, the WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), supported by a network of governments, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global goal of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide.
What do you think? Do you believe that this achievement can serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
