Government on track to eradicate blinding trachoma by 2027

Itai Mazire

The government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is making significant strides towards eliminating trachoma, a devastating blinding disease, by its ambitious 2027 target.

This progress was revealed during a two-day annual review and planning meeting for the National Trachoma Elimination Programme, supported by the Health Ministry and Sightsavers.

“The nation has achieved a remarkable milestone, with over 5 million people having received treatment for trachoma. Furthermore, more than 3 000 sight-saving eye surgeries have been performed, drastically improving the lives of those affected by advanced stages of the disease,” said the Ministry in a statement.

The review meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, showed the effectiveness of the country’s comprehensive strategy in combating trachoma.

Officials expressed confidence in meeting the 2027 elimination goal, positioning Zimbabwe as a leader in public health initiatives across the region.

Blight trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, primarily affecting impoverished communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation.

It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is easily spread through direct contact with eye and nose discharge of infected individuals, as well as via contaminated hands, clothing and eye-seeking flies.

Repeated infections lead to scarring of the inner eyelid, causing the eyelashes to turn inwards and scrape against the cornea, a painful condition known as trichiasis.

Without surgical treatment, the condition leads to irreversible blindness.

The ongoing efforts, backed by international partners like Sightsavers, are bringing the country closer to a future free from this preventable blindness.