TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the World Health Organization recognised India’s successful elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, a significant achievement in disease control.
EXPLANATION:
More the news:
- WHO has recognised India for successfully eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. India is now one of the 19 other countries that have eliminated trachoma.
- India becomes the third country in the South-East Asia region to achieve this feat.
- This milestone reflects the effectiveness of India’s healthcare initiatives and collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals.
- The country is also the 50th to be acknowledged by the United Nations health agency for eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease globally.
About the Trachoma:
- It is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
- It is a public health problem in 42 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
- Blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
- It is a neglected tropical disease and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
How it spreads?
- Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and by flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
- With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye.
- This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea.
- To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy.
- The SAFE strategy includes Surgery to treat the blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis); Antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly the antibiotic azithromycin; Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.
The 19 other countries that have eliminated trachoma are Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Togo and Vanuatu.
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