India has achieved a monumental milestone in public health by eradicating trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection that was once a leading cause of blindness in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared India trachoma-free, recognising the nation's unwavering commitment to public health and community support.
Trachoma, caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium, spreads through close contact, shared personal items, and respiratory droplets.
Symptoms include blurry vision, red and swollen eyes, and potential vision loss. Poor hygiene, overcrowding, and inadequate sanitation facilitated its spread.
Under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), India adopted the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy — Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.
Through targeted interventions, including surgical treatment, antibiotic distribution, hygiene promotion, and improved access to water and sanitation, India successfully reduced trachoma prevalence from a staggering 50% in the 1950s to a mere 0.008% in 2018.
India maintained its vigilance even after initial eradication, conducting rigorous surveillance from 2019 to 2024 to prevent the disease from re-emerging.
The Better India
India has achieved a monumental milestone in public health by eradicating trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection that was once a leading cause of blindness in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared India trachoma-free, recognising the nation's unwavering commitment to public health and community support.
Trachoma, caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium, spreads through close contact, shared personal items, and respiratory droplets.
Symptoms include blurry vision, red and swollen eyes, and potential vision loss. Poor hygiene, overcrowding, and inadequate sanitation facilitated its spread.
Under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), India adopted the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy — Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.
Through targeted interventions, including surgical treatment, antibiotic distribution, hygiene promotion, and improved access to water and sanitation, India successfully reduced trachoma prevalence from a staggering 50% in the 1950s to a mere 0.008% in 2018.
India maintained its vigilance even after initial eradication, conducting rigorous surveillance from 2019 to 2024 to prevent the disease from re-emerging.
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[trachoma, public health, WHO, Chlamydia trachomatis, blindness prevention]
3 months ago | [YT] | 2,770