Imagine a world where a centuries-old disease, responsible for robbing millions of their sight, is finally eradicated. That’s exactly what Egypt has achieved, becoming the seventh country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: this victory isn’t just a win for Egypt—it’s a beacon of hope for the 30 countries still battling this ancient scourge. And this is the part most people miss: Egypt’s success wasn’t an overnight miracle but the result of decades of relentless effort, innovation, and collaboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced Egypt’s historic milestone, bringing the global total of countries free from trachoma as a public health problem to 27. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, celebrated this achievement, stating, ‘This demonstrates the effectiveness of sustained national leadership, strong surveillance, and community engagement in ending a disease that has afflicted humanity since antiquity.’ Yet, despite this progress, trachoma remains a threat to 1.9 million people worldwide, causing blindness or visual impairment that is often irreversible. As of April 2025, 103 million people still live in areas where trachoma is endemic, highlighting the urgent need for continued action.
Egypt’s battle against trachoma spans over a century. Documented in the country for more than 3,000 years, the disease persisted into the 20th century, blinding adults and affecting over half of children in some Nile Delta communities by the 1980s. The turning point came in 2002 when Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, alongside WHO and other partners, adopted the SAFE strategy—Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics to clear the infection, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. Between 2015 and 2025, extensive mapping and surveillance across Egypt’s 27 governorates revealed a steady decline in active trachoma cases among children aged 1–9 and no significant burden of blinding complications in adults. By 2024, Egypt had integrated trachoma surveillance into its national electronic disease reporting system, ensuring rapid response to any future outbreaks.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Egypt’s success is undeniable, it raises questions about why other countries with similar resources haven’t achieved the same results. Is it a matter of political will, funding, or community engagement? Professor Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, credited initiatives like Haya Karima for expanding access to clean water, sanitation, and primary care in rural areas. ‘This achievement is a collective triumph,’ he said, ‘for Egypt’s health workers, communities, and partners.’ Yet, this leaves us wondering: What can other nations learn from Egypt’s model?
Egypt’s victory against trachoma is its second triumph over neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), following the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in 2018. Globally, 58 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, with nine in the Eastern Mediterranean Region alone. Dr. Nima Abid, WHO Representative to Egypt, praised the country’s ‘strong track record in eliminating communicable diseases, including polio, measles, rubella, and most recently malaria.’ He added, ‘Egypt’s achievement serves as an inspiring example for other countries in the Region and beyond.’
This success was made possible through robust partnerships. WHO provided technical guidance and validation support, while organizations like the Haya Karima Foundation, the Eastern Mediterranean Region Trachoma Alliance, and the International Trachoma Initiative contributed financially and technically. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized, ‘Together, we have proven that with collaboration and persistence, elimination is achievable.’
But let’s not forget the science behind it: Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, spreads through contact with infected eye discharges. Repeated infections can lead to trachomatous trichiasis, a painful condition where eyelashes turn inward and scratch the cornea, often resulting in blindness. Globally, the disease thrives in vulnerable communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. WHO’s Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020) has been instrumental in accelerating progress, but the fight is far from over.
Egypt’s story is one of determination, innovation, and collective effort. It challenges us to ask: What will it take for the remaining 30 countries to follow suit? Is it a matter of scaling proven strategies, increasing funding, or fostering stronger political commitment? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going and work toward a world free from preventable diseases.
