Burundi eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
'Eliminating a disease like trachoma is a major public health achievement that requires sustained effort and dedication,' said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 'I congratulate the government and the people of Burundi and commend them for their hard work and commitment. It is great to see Burundi join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD'.
Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through personal contact, contaminated surfaces and by flies that have been in contact with eye or nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring, in-turning of the eyelids, and ultimately blindness. Globally, the disease remains endemic in many vulnerable communities where access to clean water and sanitation is limited.
'This validation marks a major milestone in our commitment to health equity', said Dr Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, Burundi. 'It is a collective victory made possible by nearly 20 years of national mobilization and international solidarity. I thank all the partners, community actors and institutions in Burundi and beyond who made this historic achievement possible'.
Burundi's progress
Before 2007, with no reported cases or epidemiological studies, the extent of trachoma endemicity in Burundi was largely unknown. That year, the country launched an initiative to tackle NTDs, which included integrated mapping of soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma. Following the mapping, the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS conducted further investigations. Baseline surveys carried out in 2009–2010 confirmed that trachoma was endemic in parts of the country. This prompted introduction of interventions based on the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy for 2.5 million people who needed them across 12 health districts.
Burundi's trachoma elimination programme was supported technically and financially by CBM Christoffel Blindenmission, the END Fund, Geneva Global and WHO. The International Trachoma Initiative at the Task Force for Global Health donated azithromycin (Zithromax, Pfizer, New York NY, USA). WHO continues to support support the country's health authorities to monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.
This achievement reflects the government's resolve to protect its most vulnerable populations. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, and with the dedication of community health workers, support from key partners, and WHO's technical guidance, this success was made possible' said Dr Xavier Crespin, WHO Representative in Burundi. 'This win inspires us to press forward with the same determination to eliminate all remaining neglected tropical diseases.'
Disease prevalence
Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East.
The African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden. Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.
There are currently 20 countries in WHO's African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. These include: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The seven countries in the region previously validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania and Togo. A further 4 countries in the WHO African Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Senegal) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.
Global progress
With today's announcement, a total of 57 countries have now eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 24— (including Burundi)—have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Other countries that have reached this milestone include Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences Graduates 391 Students
Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences, in its 4th commencement, today conferred postgraduate, first degree, and diploma qualifications to 391 graduates, including 55% female students. Postgraduate programs included fields such as Clinical Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics and Child Health. Fields of study for first degree and diploma programs included Doctor of Medicine, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory, Dental Technology, Radiology, Adult Health Nursing, Anesthesia, Emergency and Critical Care, Midwifery, Ophthalmic Nursing, Comprehensive Nursing, and Environmental Health. Dr. Yemane Seium, Dean of the College, stated that the graduates will significantly contribute to reducing medical training costs, improving the quality of care provided to the public, and addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. Dr. Yemane also noted that academic activities at the college are conducted by 90 faculty members, 70 Eritrean and 20 foreign professionals. He added that during the current academic year, 12 faculty members of Orotta College of Medicine and Health Science are pursuing postgraduate studies inside the country and abroad. In her keynote address, Ms. Amina Nurhussein, Minister of Health, emphasized that the encouraging progress in the health sector is the result of the Government's substantial investment across all sectors. She called on the graduates to actively contribute to realizing the roadmap of the national health sector. A representative of the graduates highlighted the growing role of youth professionals in advancing national healthcare services and affirmed their readiness to serve the public with dedication. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Women and girls of African descent: Celebrating contributions, recognising challenges
This Friday marks the first observation of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, following a declaration last year by the UN General Assembly. It recognises their immense contributions to society, but also acknowledges the challenges they face due to the double burden of racism and sexism. Although woman and girls of African descent embody strength, resilience and untapped potential, they remain among the most marginalised groups globally due to the intersection of racial, gender and socioeconomic discrimination. For example, they suffer alarming maternal mortality rates, according to the UN's reproductive health agency, UNFPA. Oftentimes, cases are not related to income or education, but rather to racism and structural inequality stemming from a legacy of slavery and colonialism. 'The good news is these things are not irreversible,' Patricia DaSilva, a senior programme adviser with the agency told UN News. 'We can fix them. We have the solutions for many of the problems that we are facing in terms of maternal health for women and girls of African descent.' Data and solutions UNFPA advocates for stronger health systems and investment in midwifery programmes, culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers and improvements in data collection. The agency also invests in partnerships such as an initiative in the Pacific region of Colombia, home to large communities of people of African descent. 'We have worked with the traditional midwives for them to integrate ancestral knowledge with modern health practices. This includes supporting accurate birth registration,' she said. 'It sounds like a really simple thing, but when you are in a remote community without access to technology, without access to administrative offices, it becomes this really, really important issue.' Agents of change Ms. DaSilva upheld the theme for the International Day, which focuses on women and girls of African descent as leaders, not just beneficiaries. 'I think it is important that the international community, the global community, understands that women and girls of African descent are not recipients of aid. They are leaders. They are innovators. They are agents of change,' she said. 'We have an opportunity and even an obligation and a responsibility to support the efforts to resource their solutions, to elevate their voices and continue to really double our efforts to dismantle the structural barriers that continue to impede their progress.' The first celebration of the International Day coincides with the start of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs through 2034. The aim is to take concrete actions to confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, deliver reparatory justice, and secure the full human rights and freedoms of people from the African diaspora worldwide, building on the previous Decade, which ended last year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Turkish Doctors Bring Hope to Patients in Tanzania
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), a healthcare initiative was carried out in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, offering free medical examinations, treatments, and medications to the local population. Held from June 29 to July 10, 2025, the comprehensive health campaign was organized in collaboration with TİKA and Yeryüzü Doktorları Association. In collaboration with TİKA and Yeryüzü Doktorları, a healthcare initiative was launched to provide medical examinations, treatment, and medications to the local population. The initiative provided vital medical services to residents of the region, prioritizing women, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses. In addition to general health check-ups, specialized care was offered in fields such as pediatrics, women's health, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The health initiative, supported by TİKA and carried out in cooperation with local health units, also featured short-term training seminars for local healthcare professionals, contributing to the long-term sustainability of medical services in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).