Libya Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem

TRIPOLI, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) – The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that Libya has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a significant achievement in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This milestone marks a major step forward in the global effort to combat neglected tropical diseases.

A Landmark Victory for Public Health

Libya is now the 28th country worldwide, and the 8th in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, to be validated for trachoma elimination WHO. The announcement underscores the country’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its population, even amidst ongoing challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

The WHO noted that Libya reached this milestone despite years of political instability, humanitarian crises, and disruptions to health services. These factors led to population displacement and increased strain on essential resources like water and sanitation WHO.

How Libya Achieved Elimination

Libya’s success is attributed to its comprehensive national trachoma elimination program. This program integrated several key strategies:

• Surveillance: Continuous monitoring to track the prevalence of the disease.
• Expanded Surgery Services: Providing access to surgical interventions for trichiasis, a late-stage complication of trachoma.
• Health Worker Capacity Building: Training and equipping healthcare professionals to effectively manage and prevent trachoma.
• Collaboration: Working with local and international partners to maximize impact.

Understanding Trachoma

Trachoma is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through contact with infected eye discharge via hands, clothing, or flies WHO. Repeated infections can cause scarring of the eyelid, leading to trichiasis – a painful condition where eyelashes grow inward and rub against the cornea. If left untreated, trichiasis can result in blindness.

A History of Trachoma in Libya

Trachoma has been documented in Libya for over a century, with particularly high infection rates in the southern regions during the 20th century. Early control efforts were initiated in the 1970s and 1980s, which contributed to a significant decline in transmission rates WHO.

Recent surveys in 2022 indicated that the prevalence of active trachoma and trichiasis had fallen below WHO elimination thresholds in six southern districts. A surgical campaign was launched in Wadi Al Hayaa/Ghat to address remaining cases of trichiasis, and a follow-up survey in 2025 confirmed that trichiasis prevalence had also decreased to acceptable levels WHO.

Looking Ahead

“Libya joins a growing group of countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region that have eliminated trachoma,” said Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean WHO. This achievement serves as an inspiring example for other countries in the region and globally, demonstrating that eliminating neglected tropical diseases is possible with sustained commitment and strategic interventions.