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further evolution in 1970s into
the National Programme for
Control of Blindness and Visual
Impairment—under the Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India— finally
culminating in the overcoming
of the disease, providing data
to confirm its control in 2017 and
providing adequate evidence
to justify the certification by
WHO of its eradication in 2020s
is a testament to strategic
vision, adaptability, collective
responsibility and a strong
community-focused approach
in health care. This success story What is Trachoma?
reflects the nation's capability Trachoma is an infectious
to overcome big problems disease of the eye caused by a
in general and unwavering type of bacteria known as the
commitment to improving Chlamydia Trachomatis which
public health and ensuring spreads through direct contact
equitable access to eye care with infective material in the
services for all. form of discharge from the eye

Ms Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, received the
Certificate on behalf of the Government of India from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
Director-General, WHO.

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