The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem, making it the third country in the South-East Asia Region to reach this milestone. An official certification was presented to Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, by Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, during the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting held in New Delhi.

Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, has long been recognized as a significant cause of blindness in underprivileged communities living in poor environmental conditions. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, or nasal and throat secretions of infected individuals. Without timely treatment, Trachoma can lead to irreversible blindness.

Globally, WHO has identified Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease, with estimates suggesting that 150 million people are affected worldwide, and six million are either blind or at risk of severe visual impairment due to the disease.

During the 1950s and 60s, Trachoma was one of the leading causes of blindness in India. In response, the Government of India launched the National Trachoma Control Program in 1963. Later, the program’s initiatives were integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB). Thanks to continuous efforts under NPCB, the prevalence of blindness due to Trachoma in India dropped significantly from 5 percent in 1971 to less than 1 percent today.

In 2017, India was declared free from infective Trachoma following the successful implementation of WHO’s SAFE strategy, which includes Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. Despite this milestone, the country continued active surveillance for Trachoma cases across all districts from 2019 to 2024 to ensure sustained elimination.

To further confirm the elimination status, the National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT-only) Survey was conducted across 200 endemic districts under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) between 2021 and 2024. This survey, which was a key requirement set by WHO, helped confirm that Trachoma was no longer a public health concern in India.

The compiled findings from the NPCBVI team were shared with the WHO country office for a comprehensive review. After years of dedicated efforts and strategic interventions, WHO finally declared that India had successfully eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to the sustained efforts of the Indian government and its partners in combating this disease. The reduction of Trachoma prevalence to such low levels reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring better eye health and quality of life for its people,” said Ms. Wazed during the certification ceremony.

This achievement also signifies a major success for the country’s public health initiatives, showcasing the impact of well-coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions. The elimination of Trachoma will not only improve the vision health of millions but will also contribute to the overall health and well-being of underprivileged communities across India.

India’s success story in eliminating Trachoma offers valuable lessons for other countries still battling the disease, underscoring the importance of integrating disease-specific control programs into broader national health initiatives and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to disease transmission and progression.