Fiji Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem

Strategic Insights -

Fiji has made a landmark public health achievement by eliminating trachoma, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world's leading infectious cause of blindness, as a public health problem. This milestone was validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) following a comprehensive programme that included school health, water and sanitation initiatives, and community awareness programmes. Fiji is the 26th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one NTD.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fiji has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a disease that causes blindness and affects over 1 billion people worldwide.
  • The country's success is attributed to a comprehensive programme including school health, water and sanitation initiatives, and community awareness programmes.
  • Fiji is the 26th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
  • Trachoma is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji, and the country has been recognized for its leadership in Pacific public health.
  • Fiji's success is a celebration of the power of Pacific leadership and the impact of sustained investment in health.
  • WHO congratulates Fiji and is committed to supporting countries across the Region in advancing health for all so that no one is left behind.
  • Trachoma was once a significant public health problem in Fiji, with widespread disease and risk of blindness documented in the 1930s and 1950s.
  • Since 2012, Fiji has undertaken a series of robust, internationally supported surveys and studies to understand the local epidemiology of trachoma and distinguish it from other causes of eye disease.
  • Fiji's elimination of trachoma is a defining moment for health equity in the Pacific, and the country is calling on donors and partners to continue supporting accelerated action on neglected tropical diseases.
  • The elimination of trachoma is part of broader progress on NTDs in Fiji and the rest of the Western Pacific Region, with 13 Member States validated by WHO for eliminating at least one NTD.

Statistics:

  • Over 1 billion people are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) worldwide.
  • 20 diseases and disease groups are targeted for prevention, control, elimination, and eradication by 2030.
  • 13 Member States in the Western Pacific Region, including Fiji, have been validated by WHO for eliminating at least one NTD since 2016.
  • Six countries in the Western Pacific Region have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
  • Trachoma is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji.
  • Fiji is the 26th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one NTD.

Sources:

  • WHO Western Pacific (2017) - "Fiji eliminates trachoma as a public health problem"
  • WHO Western Pacific (2021) - "Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030"
  • WHO Western Pacific (2020) - "Trachoma elimination in the Pacific"
  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2022) - "Neglected tropical diseases"
  • Ministry of Health and Medical Services of Fiji (2022) - "Fiji achieves a major public health milestone"