In cooperation with the Government of Canada and with a contribution of $11.2 million, actions are being taken in 10 countries in Latin America to strengthen surveillance and expand treatment for this disease to reach approximately 10 million people infected in the next five years.
The proposal was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as part of the country’s efforts to support the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In this regard, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Jarbas Barbosa, thanked the Government of Canada for this cooperation, which will help prevent visual impairment and blindness caused by trachoma.
He stressed that this program will advance the goal of eliminating preventable diseases by 2030, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and poor population groups in the region.
Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is transmitted by flies and by direct contact with eye secretions of infected people, and mainly affects those living in conditions of extreme poverty.
Factors that contribute to its transmission include overcrowding, poor hygiene and sanitary conditions.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, trachoma is endemic in many rural, poor and remote areas of the world, including Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru, affecting approximately 5.6 million people. In the region, indigenous people in the Amazon Basin are disproportionately affected.
The initiative will focus on at-risk populations in those countries, and accelerate the implementation of the package that includes: surgery to prevent visual impairment and possible blindness, antibiotics and preventive facial disinfection to reduce infection, and environmental improvements that reduce transmission.
M/CRC
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