Trachoma
Context:
Recently, WHO declared that the Government of India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.
- India became the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
About Trachoma:
- Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes.
- It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis.
- Trachoma is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose or throat secretions of infected people, if left untreated it causes irreversible blindness.
- It is found in underprivileged communities living in poor environmental conditions.
- It was amongst the leading cause of blindness in the country during 1950-60.
- The Government of India launched the National Trachoma Control Program in 1963 and later on Trachoma control efforts were integrated into India’s National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
WHO’s stand:
- WHO has termed Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease.
- WHO estimates suggest that 150 million people worldwide are affected by Trachoma and 6 million of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling complications.
- WHO SAFE (adoption of surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, environmental cleanliness etc)strategy was implemented throughout the country.
- Finally, after years of fighting against Trachoma, WHO declared that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem
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