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Published: Thursday, 13 November 2025

The Arab Republic of Egypt has received World Health Organization (WHO) certification for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Egypt becomes the eleventh African Union (AU) Member State and the twenty-seventh globally to achieve this milestone.

This marks the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) eliminated by Egypt, following the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in 2018.

Globally, 58 countries have now eliminated at least one NTD, including 24 AU Member States. Among them, 10 others have received WHO certification for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, including Benin, Burundi, The Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, and Togo.

Egypt’s path to elimination

Since 2002, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, in partnership with WHO and national and international stakeholders, has implemented the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy—Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement — to combat trachoma.

Extensive mapping and surveillance conducted between 2015 and 2025 showed a steady reduction in infection among children aged 1–9 years and a negligible burden of the blinding complications of trachoma in adults. Both indicators now fall below WHO elimination thresholds nationwide.

Egypt’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem underscores the nation’s sustained commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and the transformative impact of initiatives such as Haya Karima, which have expanded access to safe water, sanitation, and primary care services in rural communities. This achievement is a collective triumph for Egypt’s health workers, communities, and partners who collaborated to eradicate this ancient disease.

Professor Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population (Source: WHO)

A strong track record in eliminating communicable diseases

Egypt’s success in eliminating trachoma comes just about a year after receiving WHO certification for eliminating malaria as a public health problem, illustrating its strong track record, high-level political commitment, and sustained investment in public health.

These milestones reflect Egypt’s alignment with the African Union’s vision of a prosperous Africa, free from the burden of disease, as outlined in the Africa Health Strategy (2016–2030) and Agenda 2063, which call for strengthened health systems, universal health coverage, and the elimination of preventable diseases.

Egypt’s achievements offer a powerful example of national leadership and multisectoral collaboration, inspiring other Member States working to deliver equitable health care and end preventable diseases.

About trachoma

Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, spreads through contact with infected eye discharges via hands, clothing, hard surfaces, and flies. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the inner eyelid, causing the eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the cornea, a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis that can result in blindness (Source: WHO).

Trachoma remains the leading infectious cause of blindness globally and remains a public health problem in 30 countries. Data as of April 2025 shows that about 1.9 million people suffer from visual impairment due to trachoma, and 103 million people live in endemic areas at risk of blindness.

Africa bears 90% of the global trachoma burden, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas. However, significant progress has been achieved: between 2014 and 2024, the number of people in the African region requiring antibiotic treatment dropped by 96 million from 189 million to 93 million, representing a 51% reduction.