The World Health Organisation has validated The Gambia as having successfully eliminated the tropical eye disease known as trachoma as a public health challenge.
Trachoma as an eye disease affects mainly children in some 45 countries worldwide, 29 of which are found in Africa.
According to WHO, an estimated 137 million people live in places where trachoma remains endemic.
Women are four times more likely than men to be infected thanks to their close physical contacts with afflicted children.
Using the results of a 2018–2019 survey on trachoma trichiasis in The Gambia, the WHO said the disease’s prevalence among 15-year-olds and above ranged from 0 to 0.02 percent.
This goes beyond the WHO threshold required for the the disease to be declared eliminated as a public health concern in a country.
“This is a remarkable achievement that has saved many children, mothers and families from preventable visual impairment or blindness and improved their quality of life and well-being,” said the WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
Dr. Moeti said Gambia’s success proves that it was possible “to achieve significant milestones through dedicated efforts in tackling health challenges in the region.”
Health minister Ahmadou Samateh declared the elimination of the disease as a monumental achievement, reminding Gambians of the 1980s when the disease accounted for one in every five cases of blindness.
WN/as/APA