WHO consultant, Dr Mario L. Tarizzo, prepares to take an eye smear from a school child at Srendi, Djerba. WHO has supported long-standing efforts in Tunisia to eliminate trachoma, a disease of the eye that can cause blindness if left untreated. Photo Credit: WHO/Eric Schwab
Health TunisiaDecades of Public Health Efforts End Leading Cause of Preventable Blindness
Tunisia has been validated by the World Health Organization as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major achievement in the fight against preventable blindness.
“Validation marks a historic achievement for Tunisia and reflects our country’s long-standing commitment to public health, prevention and equity,” said Dr Mustapha Ferjani, Minister of Health of Tunisia.
Once endemic and affecting at least half the population in some areas, trachoma was reduced through decades of coordinated action that combined treatment, improved sanitation, expanded access to clean water, school health programmes and community education. The country implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy and integrated eye care into primary healthcare services nationwide. Tunisia is now the 31st country in the world to be validated for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, and the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in the country. A post-validation surveillance system is in place to maintain progress and protect future generations from the disease.
