WHO certifies India for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem
On 8 October 2024, in New Delhi, WHO certified that India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to do so.
Summary
On 8 October 2024, in New Delhi, the World Health Organization declared that India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this. WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed handed the certificate to Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, at the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting. Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that can cause irreversible blindness; WHO calls it a neglected tropical disease. India implemented the WHO SAFE strategy and was declared free from infective trachoma in 2017.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 8 Oct 2024, New Delhi (WHO SEARO Regional Committee)
- Milestone
- Trachoma eliminated as public health problem
- Rank in SEAR
- Third country
- Cause
- Bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
- Strategy
- WHO SAFE
- Earlier
- Free from infective trachoma in 2017
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Trachoma, which WHO certified India as having eliminated as a public health problem on 8 October 2024, primarily affects which organ?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Eyes
PIB (8 Oct 2024): trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes and, if untreated, causes irreversible blindness.
With WHO's October 2024 certification, India became which country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Third
PIB (8 Oct 2024): India became the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
Trachoma is caused by which bacterium?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Chlamydia trachomatis
PIB (8 Oct 2024): trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.