Libya becomes the 28th country globally to eliminate trachoma

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially validated Libya for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. Libya is now the 28th country globally and the 8th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to reach this milestone, safeguarding millions from the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.

A Triumph of Resilience
Libya’s success is a testament to sustained commitment despite a decade of political instability and humanitarian challenges. While control efforts began in the 1970s, the final push launched in 2017 under the National Prevention of Blindness Programme.

This achievement was driven by a powerful coalition including the Libyan Ministry of Health, WHO, and IAPB members Sightsavers, the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI), and Tropical Data.

The Road to Validation
The elimination was secured through rigorous, evidence-based interventions:

• Targeted Surveillance (2022): Comprehensive surveys across southern districts identified remaining disease hotspots.
• Surgical Mobilization: Intensive campaigns in areas like Wadi Al Hayaa and Ghat provided life-changing surgery for patients with trichiasis (inward-turning eyelashes).
• Final Confirmation (2025): Epidemiological surveys confirmed that prevalence rates had fallen—and remained—below WHO elimination thresholds nationwide.

“This validation reinforces our conviction that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere.” — Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Global Implications
Trachoma remains a threat in approximately 30 countries, putting over 100 million people at risk of blindness. Libya’s success provides a blueprint for the WHO 2021–2030 NTD roadmap, proving that integrated surveillance and international solidarity can overcome even the most complex barriers to eye health.

Reference: World Health Organization. (2026, February 18). WHO validates elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Libya. Retrieved March 1, 2026, from WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region news releases.