India Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem — WHO Certification at 78th World Health Assembly

Detailed Summary

India was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva, Switzerland (May 19–27, 2025). The formal WHO declaration had been made on October 8, 2024, and the official certificate was presented at the WHA in May 2025. India became the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone, after Nepal and Myanmar. India also joined 21 other countries globally that have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

The Indian delegation at the WHA was led by Punya Salila Srivastava. The Union Health Ministry called this achievement a testament to India's sustained efforts in disease elimination, preventive healthcare, and its commitment to ensuring health for all.

What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is classified by WHO as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and is the world's leading infectious cause of preventable blindness. The disease spreads through:

• Direct contact with secretions from the eyes, nose, or throat of an infected person.
• Contact with shared personal items (towels, handkerchiefs).
• Vectors — flies carrying infected discharge.

Advanced stages cause Trachomatous Trichiasis — a painful condition where eyelashes grow inward and scratch the cornea, eventually leading to corneal opacity and irreversible blindness. Women are up to four times more likely to become blind from trachoma due to caretaking responsibilities.

India's Journey to Elimination

• In the 1950s–60s, trachoma was widespread in India, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan (50%+ population affected).
• By 1971, it caused approximately 5% of all blindness in India.
• 1963 — India launched the National Trachoma Control Programme with WHO and UNICEF support.
• The WHO SAFE Strategy was adopted: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvements.
• By 2018, trachoma prevalence dropped to 0.008%.
• A National Trachoma Survey (2014–2017) confirmed elimination of active infections in surveyed districts, well below the WHO threshold of 5%.
• From 2019–2024, India maintained continuous surveillance through all districts via the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).
• National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) Survey was conducted in 200 endemic districts (2021–2024) — a WHO-mandated condition for declaration.
• India was declared trachoma-free by WHO on October 8, 2024.
• Official WHO Certificate received at 78th WHA, Geneva, May 19–27, 2025.

Tamil Nadu Relevance

Tamil Nadu has historically had pockets of trachoma prevalence in rural and tribal areas. The success of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) in Tamil Nadu contributed to the national achievement. Tamil Nadu's public health infrastructure — including community health centres (CHCs), primary health centres (PHCs), and the Aarogyasri-linked health schemes — played an important role in disease surveillance and treatment.

Key Highlights

• India received WHO Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma — May 2025.
• Ceremony: 78th World Health Assembly, Geneva.
• WHO DG: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
• Third country in SE Asia after Nepal and Myanmar.
• 21 other countries globally had achieved this earlier.
• Disease: Chlamydia trachomatis bacterial infection — NTD — leading infectious cause of blindness.
• India's programme: National Trachoma Control Programme (1963); NPCBVI; SAFE strategy.

Important Facts Table

Important Terms

• Trachoma — Contagious bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; leading infectious cause of blindness.
• NTD (Neglected Tropical Disease) — WHO classification for diseases that disproportionately affect poor and marginalised populations in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Trachomatous Trichiasis — Advanced stage where eyelashes grow inward, scratching the cornea and causing blindness.
• SAFE Strategy — WHO-recommended approach: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvements.
• NPCBVI — National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (1976); Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Exam-Oriented Notes

• Trachoma = Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria — NTD — WHO.
• India eliminated trachoma — October 8, 2024 declaration; certificate May 2025.
• Third in SE Asia after Nepal and Myanmar.
• 78th World Health Assembly — Geneva — May 19–27, 2025.
• WHO DG — Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
• SAFE strategy — Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvements.
• National Trachoma Control Programme launched in 1963.
• NPCBVI launched 1976 — Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

MCQs

MCQ 1

Q: India received the WHO Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma at which World Health Assembly?

• A) 76th WHA
• B) 77th WHA
• C) 78th WHA
• D) 75th WHA

Answer: C) 78th WHA

Explanation: The 78th World Health Assembly was held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 19–27, 2025. India was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem at this assembly by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

MCQ 2

Q: Trachoma is caused by which bacterium?

• A) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• B) Chlamydia trachomatis
• C) Vibrio cholerae
• D) Plasmodium falciparum

Answer: B) Chlamydia trachomatis

Explanation: Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and is the world's leading infectious cause of preventable blindness.

MCQ 3

Q: What does the "S" in the WHO SAFE strategy for trachoma elimination stand for?

• A) Surveillance
• B) Surgery
• C) Sanitation
• D) Screening

Answer: B) Surgery

Explanation: The WHO SAFE strategy stands for: Surgery (for trichiasis), Antibiotics (to treat infection), Facial cleanliness (to reduce transmission), and Environmental improvements (water and sanitation). This comprehensive strategy was adopted by India as the foundation of its National Trachoma Control Programme.