Egypt makes history by becoming the seventh Eastern Mediterranean nation to eliminate trachoma as a public health threat

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by WHO, click this post to read the original article.

Egypt has officially eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, according to an announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO). This achievement makes Egypt the seventh country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and the 27th globally to reach this public health milestone. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Egypt’s strong leadership, community engagement, and long-term commitment, which collectively helped overcome a disease that has affected humanity for centuries.

Trachoma has been present in Egypt for over 3,000 years. Early efforts to fight it date back to the early 20th century, led by ophthalmologist Arthur Ferguson MacCallan, who promoted specialized eye care and initiated systematic disease control. Despite these efforts, trachoma continued to severely affect many communities through the 1980s. Since 2002, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has implemented WHO’s SAFE strategy—Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements—to reduce the disease’s impact. By 2025, data confirmed that trachoma remained below WHO’s thresholds for elimination across all of Egypt’s governorates.

Your country’s success was supported by wide-ranging collaborations with national and international partners. These included technical contributions, financial support, and community-level coordination through programs like Haya Karima and organizations such as WHO, Sightsavers, the International Trachoma Initiative, and others. A key milestone was achieved in 2024 when trachoma surveillance became part of Egypt’s national electronic disease reporting system, ensuring timely identification and response to potential cases.

With this accomplishment, Egypt not only sets an example in the region but also builds on its past successes in fighting other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as lymphatic filariasis. In total, 58 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, highlighting the power of political will, healthcare investment, and community action. Egypt’s progress shows you what can be achieved when focused national health strategies are combined with strong partnerships and a united vision for disease elimination.