Libya has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health concern through joint efforts by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation. This milestone will protect future generations of Libyans from preventable blindness.
Libya scores landmark public health victory
Libya has achieved a major public health milestone by eliminating trachoma. Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this milestone through a post on its X account. WHO collaborated with the Libyan Ministry of Health to eliminate the infectious disease from the region.
Moreover, with this milestone, Libya has become the 28th country worldwide to eliminate trachoma. In the Eastern Mediterranean region, it is the 8th country to eliminate trachoma.
The elimination of the infection will protect future generations from preventable blindness. Trachoma spreads through discharge from the eyes or nose of infected persons.
Notably, children aged 4-6 are likely to be the reservoirs of the infection. The infections cause long-term corneal damage, which results in irreversible blindness.
Additionally, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended the achievement. He praised it as an inspiration for the Eastern Mediterranean region.
“This milestone reflects Libya’s determination to safeguard the health of its people and reinforces our conviction that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere,” he said.
In 2017, the Libyan Ministry of Health prioritised the elimination of trachoma. It also received support from WHO, Sightsavers, the International Trachoma Initiative, and Tropical Data to fight the disease.
According to a survey taken in 2022, trachoma was active in about six southern districts, and prevalence rates were below WHO’s elimination thresholds. Trichiasis, a condition also related to trachoma, was also active in most of these districts.
However, results from another survey taken in 2025 strongly suggest that the prevalence of trichiasis had fallen below the WHO’s threshold. This signified the progress of Libya against the blindness-causing infection.
Public health milestone achieved despite turmoil
Serious political instability has embroiled Libya for the past decade that has in turn affected people and created humanitarian crises. It has led to a strained healthcare system, displacement of people, and increased demand for basic amenities.
Nevertheless, the trachoma elimination programme managed to be successful despite the challenges the country was facing. It successfully integrated surveillance, expanded access to surgical care, and collaborated with national and international organisations. The achievement of the milestone speaks volumes about the effort and dedication of health care workers in eliminating the infection.
Moreover, this achievement has made Libya the 59th country globally and the 10th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.