Myanmar eliminates trachoma: WHO

New Delhi – The World Health Organization has validated Myanmar for eliminating trachoma, a preventable disease that causes irreversible blindness, and which continues to be one of the leading causes of blindness globally.

“Myanmar’s multi-pronged approach promoting access to good hygiene infrastructure and clean water, strengthening eye care system, and complete community buy-in have enabled the country ensure that people of all ages can now look towards a trachoma-free future,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region, felicitating the country at the virtual Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia Region.

Myanmar joins Nepal in the WHO South-East Asia Region and 12 countries globally to achieve this feat. Though trachoma is preventable, blindness from trachoma is irreversible. Trachoma continues to be a public health problem in 44 countries and is responsible for the blindness for about 1.9 million people.

In 1964 the Ministry of Health and Sports in Myanmar had initiated a trachoma control project with support from WHO and UNICEF. The community-based interventions to eliminate trachoma consisted of surgical treatment, topical antibiotic treatment and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health education promoting behavior change to decrease transmission. The program further expanded to include accessible interventions in rural areas

In 2005, trachoma was responsible for 4% of all cases of blindness in Myanmar. By 2018, the prevalence of trachoma was down to a mere 0.008% with trachoma no longer a public health problem.

In a virtual event, the Regional Director presented a citation for trachoma elimination to Myanmar’s Minister of Health and Sports, Dr Myint Htwe.

Sri Lanka was felicitated for eliminations of rubella and mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. The Regional Director presented citations for the two achievements to the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Ms Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “Strong leadership and commitment of the Government, support from partners, and the dedication and commitment of the health care workers and communities in the country have contributed to these successes in Sri Lanka”.

Maldives was felicitated for eliminating rubella. On the country’s success, the Regional Director said, “this commendable achievement has been possible by the strong leadership and commitment of the Government, sustained collaboration with partners, and active support of health-care workers, volunteers and communities at all levels of health services.” The citation was received by Ms Aishath Samiya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Maldives.

Home to one-fourth of the world’s population, the Region has eight flagship priority programmes – eliminate measles and rubella by 2023; prevent and control noncommunicable diseases through multisectoral policies and plans, with a focus on “best buys”; accelerate reduction of maternal, neonatal and under five mortality; continue progressing towards universal health coverage with a focus on human resources for health and essential medicines; further strengthen national capacity for preventing and combating antimicrobial resistance; scale-up capacity development in emergency risk management in countries; finish the task of eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other diseases on the verge of elimination; accelerate efforts to end TB by 2030. The Region has been making remarkable progress around the flagships and beyond.

11 September 2020 News release SEARO SEAR/PR/1741

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