Tunisia validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem

Key points

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Tunisia as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
• This is a major milestone in the country’s public health journey, coming after decades of sustained national effort.
• “I congratulate Tunisia on this historic public health achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
• “Eliminating trachoma shows what long-term political commitment, strong primary health care and teamwork can do.
• Tunisia has proven that even the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness can be overcome." Trachoma is closely linked to limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene, and hits vulnerable populations hardest.