Page 47 - MANN KI BAAT ENGLISH

India’s Trachoma-Free
Key factors in elimination included:
Status (2024)
In a significant public health
Addressing the
achievement, India has
been officially declared Surgical blinding stage of
free from trachoma by the the disease, known
Treatment:
World Health Organisation as trachomatous
(WHO). This milestone comes
trichiasis
after years of dedicated
efforts by the government
Antibiotic Clearing existing
to protect the vision of
Distribution: infections
millions, emphasising the
importance of healthy
eyesight for every individual.
India implemented several Facial Promoting hygiene to
key interventions under the Cleanliness: reduce transmission
National Programme for
Control of Blindness and
Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). Environmental Enhancing access to
A pivotal moment in this
Improvements: water and sanitation.
effort was the adoption of
the WHO SAFE strategy.

Prevention Measures (Still Relevant for Sustained Elimination)
Though eliminated, maintaining hygiene is crucial to prevent re-emergence:

Face & Hand Hygiene – Regular
washing with soap and clean
water.

Avoid Sharing Personal Items–
Towels, handkerchiefs, or eye
makeup.

Control Flies – Proper waste
disposal and reduced breeding
sites.

Community Awareness – Educate
on early symptoms and treatment.

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