By Diane Weatherup | Development Director
There are more than 75 million people living in trachoma-endemic areas in Ethiopia, the largest number of any country in the world.
The last few years, however, have seen enormous changes in the way Ethiopia is responding to the trachoma challenge. The country is viewed as an inspirational example of what can be achieved with strong country leadership and coordinated partner support, like from Orbis, in order to eliminate trachoma.
The disease has a devastating impact on livelihoods limiting access to education and preventing men, women, and children from being able to work and lead fulfilled lives. By leveraging the millions of dollars in donated antibiotics (from Pfizer) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector investments, quality of life for those living in endemic countries can be significantly improved.
Trachoma elimination is a simple and cheap proposition with huge returns on investment. Preserving the sight of an individual with trachoma requires a straightforward operation on the eyelid, and can be done in the local health centre; programme activities including antibiotic distribution, education, water and sanitation have positive impact far beyond ‘trachoma-specific’ end goals. Some have called trachoma elimination a ‘best buy’ in development.
The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is affordable, cost-effective, and pro-poor.
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