Fiji Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem

Fiji has made a major breakthrough in public health by eliminating trachoma, a neglected tropical disease and the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, was once a significant public health problem in Fiji, with widespread disease and risk of blindness documented in medical reports from the 1930s and community-based surveys in the 1950s. However, through a concerted effort by the Fijian government, global partners, and local communities, the disease has been eliminated, making Fiji the 26th country to achieve this milestone and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD).

Key Takeaways:

• Fiji has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 26th country to achieve this milestone and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one NTD.
• Trachoma is the first NTD to be eliminated in Fiji, and the disease was once a significant public health problem in the country, with widespread disease and risk of blindness documented in medical reports from the 1930s and community-based surveys in the 1950s.
• The elimination of trachoma in Fiji is a result of sustained effort and coordination between the Fijian government, global partners, and local communities, including robust surveys and studies, school health, water and sanitation initiatives, and community awareness programs.
• Fiji's success in eliminating trachoma is a testament to the power of Pacific leadership and the impact of sustained investment in health, according to Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
• The Fijian government has called on donors and partners in the Pacific and beyond to continue supporting accelerated action on neglected tropical diseases to address other diseases in Fiji and across the Pacific, according to Honourable Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji.

Statistics:

• Trachoma affects more than 1 billion people globally, according to WHO estimates.
• Fiji has been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 26th country to achieve this milestone and the 58th country globally to eliminate at least one NTD.
• Of the 13 Member States in the Western Pacific Region that have been validated by WHO for eliminating at least one NTD since 2016, six (Cambodia, China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam) have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
• Trachoma was once a significant public health problem in Fiji, with medical reports from the 1930s and community-based surveys in the 1950s documenting widespread disease and risk of blindness.
• 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.

Sources:

• World Health Organization (WHO) press release
• WHO Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030
• Interview with Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
• Interview with Honourable Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji