The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia declared India a trachoma-free country in 2024. It stated that “the country had been freed from this disease as a public health problem, thanks to good efforts from the government regarding preventable blindness and eye health for all Indian citizens.”
One of the flagship initiatives of the MoHFW, India, ie the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) has been an integral part of this success. Since inception, NPCBVI has worked hard in its mission to provide effective interventions in prevention and management of all forms of blindness, primarily trachoma control. Over time, the program had expanded its scope to create awareness and treatment in rural and disadvantaged communities where the burden was the highest.
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health, praised the dedication of health workers and the government’s commitment to improving eye health, highlighting that trachoma elimination will significantly enhance the quality of life, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Overview of Trachoma
Trachoma is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It ranks among the top causative agents of preventable blindness worldwide. It mainly targets children, who have recurrence of eye infections leading to scarring of the eyelids, turning of eyelashes (trichiasis), and irreversible loss of vision in adults.
Trachoma has been a public health issue in India, mainly in its rural areas, where sanitation and hygiene may have been inadequate.
The NPCBVI through collaboration with state health departments and local healthcare workers along with collaborating with international partners, was able to implement the SAFE strategy recommended by WHO effectively.
NPCBVI reports that the prevalence of active trachoma in children under ten years has been less than the WHO threshold for elimination in the last few years of national surveys.
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The Medical Bulletin
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