Malawi Has Eliminated Blinding Trachoma Disease - WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Wednesday that they have validated Malawi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said; “Malawi’s achievement is life-changing for millions of children who were at risk of this devastating disease.

"Trachoma results in painful late complications leading to sight impairment, a life-long disability which causes significant emotional and economic hardship for families.

“With Malawi showing the way I hope other endemic countries in southern Africa will prioritize the fight against neglected diseases that cause untold suffering to vulnerable populations.”

Malawi joins Gambia, Ghana, Morocco and Togo as African countries eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

It is a public health problem in 44 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Blindness from trachoma is irreversible.