Mauritania Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem

Strategic Insights -

Mauritania, a West African nation, has made significant strides in public health by eliminating trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, as a public health problem. This achievement is a testament to the country's tireless efforts in combating the disease, which has been a major health concern in the region for decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) validated Mauritania's achievement, making it the seventh country in WHO's African Region to achieve this milestone.

Mauritania's journey towards trachoma elimination began in the 1960s, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that the country conducted population-based epidemiological surveys to map the disease. The country implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma, which includes surgery to treat late blinding stages, mass administration of antibiotic treatment, public awareness campaigns, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mauritania has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the seventh country in WHO's African Region to achieve this milestone.
  • The country's success is attributed to the strong leadership and commitment of the government, supported by the dedication of health workers, communities, and partners.
  • Trachoma control activities were integrated into the National Programme for the Fight against Blindness at the Ministry of Health.
  • Mauritania implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy, which includes surgery to treat late blinding stages, mass administration of antibiotic treatment, public awareness campaigns, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.
  • The country's success is a significant milestone in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
  • Mauritania joins 21 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

Statistics:

  • 37 countries worldwide still have trachoma as a public health problem.
  • Around 103 million people live in areas requiring interventions against trachoma worldwide.
  • 93 million people live in at-risk areas in the African Region, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.
  • 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.
  • 20 countries in WHO's African Region are targeting trachoma elimination following Mauritania's success.
  • Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Mauritania.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC)
  • Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology of Africa (IOTA)
  • Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative
  • The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly