Iraq eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
Iraq has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. It is the 18th country globally to achieve this milestone.
In 2012, Iraq launched its national trachoma program with the objective of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. As part of its national program, Iraq established a trachoma surveillance system to identify and manage cases within secondary and tertiary eye care facilities. Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the national trachoma program conducted school pre-enrolment and eye screening programs to detect and address cases among school-going children.
The success of Iraq's national trachoma program can, in part, be attributed to the efforts of numerous trained healthcare professionals that supported its efforts, including refractionists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and specialized eye surgeons. Moving forward, the surveillance system established by the program will continue to monitor areas that were previously affected and respond to any new cases that may emerge.
Iraq’s achievement highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-ministerial collaboration
“Iraq’s achievement highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-ministerial collaboration,” said PJ Hooper, Chair, International Coalition for Trachoma Control. “Iraq’s national trachoma program, led by the Ministry of Health, worked across sectors and government departments to establish sustainable surveillance systems, to ensure all people at risk could access interventions, and to verify that trachoma is no longer a public health problem in the country. The International Coalition for Trachoma Control congratulates Iraq on this significant achievement.”
Babar Qureshi, Director of Inclusive Eye Health and NTDs, CBM and Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) Trachoma Alliance welcomed the news from Iraq. "I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Iraq on the remarkable achievement of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. This is a significant milestone in public health and a demonstration of Iraq’s dedication to improving the health outcomes of the population. This achievement not only reduces the risk of irreversible blindness and other health complications, but also serves as an inspiring example to the rest of the world. I am confident that Iraq’s success will serve as an inspiration for other trachoma endemic countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and globally."
Iraq is the 5th country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region that has been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, following the Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Iraq is also the 50th country to be acknowledged by WHO for eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD) globally. This major milestone is the halfway mark to the 100-country target set for 2030 in the global road map for neglected tropical diseases, published by WHO in 2021.
It is estimated that trachoma remains a public health problem in six countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, affecting 6.9 million people, and a further 21.7 million people live in districts where trachoma is suspected to be a public health problem. 40 countries are known to require interventions for trachoma globally.
18 countries have been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, including Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Togo and Vanuatu.