Algeria Eliminates Trachoma As A Public Health Problem After Decades Of Effort

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Algeria arsenic having eliminated trachoma arsenic a nationalist wellness problem, making it nan 10th state successful WHO's African Region and nan 29th state globally to execute this important milestone.

Affecting nan eye, trachoma is nan starring infectious origin of blindness worldwide, Globally, nan illness remains endemic successful 30 countries and is responsible for nan blindness aliases ocular impairment of astir 1.9 million people. According to latest figures, 97 cardinal group unrecorded successful trachoma endemic areas and are astatine consequence of trachoma blindness. The illness is caused by nan bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is dispersed done interaction pinch infected oculus discharge via hands, clothing, aliases flies. Repeated infections tin lead to scarring of nan soul portion of nan precocious eyelid, turning eyelashes inward to scratch nan eyeball: a achy information known arsenic trachomatous trichiasis that tin lead to ocular impairment and blindness.

Algeria's elimination of trachoma is simply a historical triumph that connects nan past, present, and early of nationalist health, and is rooted successful a century-long commitment. This milestone proves that pinch sustained governmental will and on-the-ground activity from committed wellness professionals, we tin destruct neglected tropical diseases and build a healthier, much resilient early for all."

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Algeria's conflict against trachoma dates backmost to nan early 20th period pinch nan constitution of nan Pasteur Institute of Algeria successful 1909. After independence, Algerian physicians, led by Prof Mohamed Aouchiche, took complaint of this work. Their efforts were strengthened by nan creation of a nationalist national healthcare strategy that began to supply services free of complaint to patients successful 1974.

For decades, Algeria implemented nan WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to destruct trachoma. These activities included proviso of room to dainty nan precocious blinding shape of nan illness ("trachomatous trichiasis", TT), conducting wide management of antibiotic treatment, carrying retired nationalist consciousness campaigns to beforehand facial cleanliness and individual hygiene arsenic good arsenic betterment successful entree to h2o proviso and sanitation.

To accelerate trachoma elimination, Algeria implemented a three-year strategy successful 2013–2015 and established a National Expert Committee. The attraction was connected eliminating trachoma successful 12 confederate wilayas (provinces), including Adrar, Laghouat, Biskra, Béchar, Tamanrasset, Ouargla, El Bayadh, Illizi, Tindouf, El Oued, Naama, and Ghardaïa, wherever nan illness remained a nationalist wellness problem.

WHO-compliant surveys conducted successful 2022 confirmed that nan elimination period for progressive trachoma was achieved successful each areas and nan TT period was achieved successful each but 3 areas. In those 3 areas, afloat geographic sum pinch door-to-door screening and guidance of TT cases was subsequently carried retired to guarantee TT elimination was attained.

In December 2025, nan Ministry of Health of Algeria compiled and submitted a dossier successful which grounds was provided that nan state meets nan criteria group by WHO for elimination of trachoma arsenic a nationalist wellness problem. The beingness of a well-functioning schoolhouse wellness system, a wellness accusation system, wide entree to h2o and sanitation, and extended sum of specialized oculus attraction passim nan state are notable strengths, arsenic they supply assurance for nan post-validation play successful nan country.

Trachoma devastates individuals and communities profoundly, pinch blindness aliases ocular impairment causing achy economical and livelihood loss. The milestone by Algeria is simply a awesome accomplishment that transforms nan wellness and well-being of children, women and full families and demonstrates that eliminating neglected tropical diseases is imaginable pinch accordant and coordinated efforts."

Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa

WHO recommends that surveillance continues moreover aft validation of nan elimination, pinch nan purpose of intimately monitoring populations successful which trachoma was antecedently endemic to guarantee location is nary resurgence. WHO is presently supporting Algeria's wellness authorities successful this endeavor.

"WHO's validation marks nan culmination of sustained efforts, exemplary multisectoral coordination, and enduring commitment. It attests to our country's capacity to meet nan astir rigorous nationalist wellness standards – standards grounded successful prevention, equitable entree to care, and nan betterment of surviving conditions," said Professor Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene, Minister of Health. "This accomplishment represents a corporate triumph – nan consequence of astir 50 years of nationalist mobilization – and underscores nan Algerian State's unwavering committedness to nan wellness of its population. This occurrence was made imaginable done nan mobilization of each stakeholders, nan dedication of wellness professionals, nan support of cardinal partners, and nan method assistance of nan WHO."