Pakistan achieved a major global health milestone as the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized its elimination of trachoma, a blinding tropical disease, during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal received the honorary certificate from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, making Pakistan the 19th country worldwide to eliminate this infectious cause of blindness.
The validation, initially granted in October 2024, crowns years of coordinated efforts under WHO’s SAFE strategy – combining surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvements. Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, previously threatened millions in Pakistan through transmission via contaminated surfaces, flies, and poor hygiene conditions. Its elimination marks a victory for Pakistan’s primary healthcare system and international partnerships.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to safeguarding citizens’ vision,” stated Minister Kamal, praising frontline health workers and provincial-federal collaboration. He linked the success to Pakistan’s broader health ambitions, vowing to replicate the model against polio: “If we can eliminate trachoma, polio’s days are numbered.”
The recognition comes as Pakistan participates in the Geneva assembly, where global leaders discuss pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage. Kamal is scheduled to outline Pakistan’s health priorities, leveraging the trachoma success to showcase the country’s capacity to combat neglected tropical diseases.
WHO’s 2021-2030 roadmap targets 20 tropical diseases for elimination, with Pakistan’s progress offering a blueprint for other endemic nations. The UN agency emphasized that such victories reduce both human suffering and economic burdens on vulnerable communities.
With trachoma now relegated to Pakistan’s health history, attention shifts to sustaining surveillance against resurgence while applying lessons learned to ongoing battles like polio eradication – a key agenda item during Kamal’s assembly engagements.
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