The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially validated Algeria’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 10th country in the African Region and the 29th globally to achieve this milestone.

Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, remains the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. Despite global progress, the disease is still endemic in 30 countries, placing an estimated 97 million people at risk and contributing to visual impairment or blindness in around 1.9 million individuals worldwide. Spread through contact with infected eye discharge—often via hands, clothing, or flies—repeated infections can lead to a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis, where eyelashes turn inward and damage the eye.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Algeria’s achievement as a “historic triumph,” emphasizing that it reflects decades of sustained political commitment and coordinated public health efforts.

“Algeria’s elimination of trachoma is a historic triumph that connects the past, present, and future of public health,” he said, noting that the milestone demonstrates the feasibility of eliminating neglected tropical diseases through strong leadership and long-term investment.

Algeria’s fight against trachoma dates back more than a century, beginning with the establishment of the Pasteur Institute of Algeria in 1909. Following independence, national efforts intensified under the leadership of local health experts, supported by the introduction of a free public healthcare system in 1974.

Central to the country’s success was the implementation of WHO’s SAFE strategy—Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. This included surgical treatment for advanced cases, mass antibiotic distribution, public awareness campaigns promoting hygiene, and expanded access to clean water and sanitation.

A targeted national strategy between 2013 and 2015 accelerated progress, focusing on 12 southern provinces where the disease remained prevalent. Subsequent WHO-compliant surveys in 2022 confirmed that elimination thresholds had been met in nearly all areas. Remaining gaps were addressed through door-to-door screening and treatment campaigns.

In December 2025, Algeria’s Ministry of Health submitted a comprehensive dossier demonstrating that the country had met WHO’s criteria for elimination. Strong health infrastructure—including school health programmes, surveillance systems, and widespread access to eye care—was cited as critical to sustaining these gains.

Mohamed Janabi highlighted the broader impact of the achievement, noting that trachoma has long caused severe economic and social hardship for affected communities.

“Algeria’s success transforms the health and well-being of children, women and entire families,” he said, adding that it underscores the importance of coordinated and sustained efforts in tackling neglected tropical diseases.

Algeria’s Health Minister, Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene, described the validation as the result of nearly five decades of national mobilization, involving health professionals, government institutions, and international partners.

WHO has advised continued surveillance to prevent any resurgence of the disease and is supporting Algerian authorities in monitoring previously affected regions.

Trachoma is the first neglected tropical disease eliminated in Algeria. With this achievement, the country becomes the 62nd globally—and the 23rd in Africa—to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease, marking a significant step forward in global health efforts aimed at reducing the burden of diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.