Iraq Eliminates Trachoma As A Public Health Problem

Relevance: GS2 - Issues Relating To Development And Management of Social Sector/Services Relating To Health

(Source: Down to Earth, 08/05/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Iraq has recently eliminated trachoma, which is a neglected tropical disease and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
• Iraq has been acknowledged as the 50th country by WHO for eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease globally.

About Trachoma

• Trachoma is a debilitating disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, resulting in blindness if left untreated.
• It is one of the conditions known as neglected tropical diseases.
• Transmission: The infection is transmitted by direct or indirect transfer of eye and nose discharges of infected people. These discharges can also spread by particular species of flies.
• The disease mainly affects regions with water shortages, poor sanitation, and high fly populations, which serve as vectors for the disease.
• Impact: Trachoma eventually leads to eyelashes pushing inward, repeatedly brushing against the eye (trichiasis). Trichiasis can lead to blindness, if not treated.

Iraq's Strategy towards Eradication

• Iraq initiated its national trachoma elimination program in 2012 to fight against the disease.
• This program focused on detection and management of cases through eye care facilities, school-based screenings, and collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Global Progress

• Some nations that have successfully eliminated trachoma include Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Laos, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Togo, and Vanuatu.
• Status of Trachoma in India:
  • According to WHO, the prevalence of trachoma should be less than 5% to mark it as eliminated.
  • In a recent study, AIIMS noted that the prevalence of Trachoma is around 3.5% in India

Global Efforts towards Eradication

• SAFE strategy: WHO adopted the SAFE strategy in 1993, a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects.
• The 2021–2030 tropical disease roadmap: It targets the prevention, control elimination and eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups by 2030.

Conclusion

• The success of Iraq's approach highlights the importance of strong national leadership and collaboration in combating neglected tropical diseases.
• By eradicating this leading cause of blindness, Iraq has made a significant contribution to global health goals and paved the way for other countries to follow suit.
• This accomplishment underscores the importance of sustained efforts to tackle neglected tropical diseases on a worldwide scale.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: Consider the following statements regarding Trachoma:

1. It is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide.
2. Iraq has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2