A Historic Health Achievement... Egypt Announces the Elimination of Trachoma After Thousands of Years of Suffering

Egypt has announced a major health achievement at the international level after receiving an official certification confirming that the country is free of trachoma, making it the seventh country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to succeed in eliminating the disease as a public health problem.

In this context, the World Health Organization described the development as a historic milestone reflecting the success of Egypt’s long-running health strategy in combating neglected tropical diseases, noting that trachoma had for centuries remained one of the leading causes of preventable blindness.

According to Masrawy, the organization explained that the disease had been present in Egypt for more than 3,000 years before the state succeeded in containing and eliminating it through comprehensive programs focused on prevention, treatment, and improving water, sanitation, and public hygiene services.

Trachoma, also known as granular conjunctivitis, is a contagious bacterial eye disease that is often transmitted in environments lacking proper hygiene conditions, and it can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated early.

The disease had previously been classified as one of the leading causes of blindness in Egypt before cumulative health efforts succeeded in reducing its spread, culminating in the official announcement of its elimination.