The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant public health achievement: Libya has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. This landmark victory marks a pivotal moment for public health within WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, safeguarding future generations from preventable blindness and underscoring the potential to overcome neglected tropical diseases despite ongoing challenges.
“This milestone reflects Libya’s determination to safeguard the health of its people and reinforces our conviction that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Eliminating trachoma as a public health problem is an inspiring achievement for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and for communities across Libya.”
Libya Joins Global Leaders in Public Health
With this validation, Libya becomes the 28th country worldwide and the 8th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to eliminate trachoma. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of evidence-based programming and coordinated technical support in overcoming neglected tropical diseases, even amidst complex humanitarian and migration dynamics.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the significance of this success, stating, “Libya joins a growing group of countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region that have eliminated trachoma. This result reflects strong regional coordination and Libya’s perseverance during periods of great challenge.”
A Historic Disease Defeated
Trachoma has plagued Libya for over a century, with high prevalence rates documented across the country, particularly in the south. Initial control efforts began in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to a significant reduction in transmission. In 2017, the Ministry of Health prioritized trachoma elimination as part of its national eye health initiatives, supported by WHO, Sightsavers, and other partners.
Surveys conducted in 2022 across six southern districts revealed that active trachoma and trichiasis prevalences had fallen below WHO elimination thresholds, except in Wadi Al Hayaa/Ghat, where a trichiasis surgery campaign was subsequently launched. By 2025, further surveys confirmed that trichiasis prevalence had also dropped below the threshold, marking a complete elimination.
Progress Despite Adversity
Libya’s achievement is particularly remarkable given the years of political instability and humanitarian challenges that have strained health services and increased demands for basic necessities like water, sanitation, and hygiene. Despite these pressures, the national trachoma elimination program successfully integrated surveillance, expanded surgical care access, and built capacity among eye health workers.
“This validation is a source of pride for Libya and a testament to the commitment of our health workers and communities,” said Dr. Mohamed Al-Ghoj, Acting Minister of Health. “Even through difficult years, we maintained our focus on improving eye health services and ensuring no one was left behind. This success would not have been possible without the professionalism and dedication of our doctors, nurses, and health workers in the field.”
Dr. Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya, remarked, “Reaching trachoma elimination status in Libya is a testimony of what could be achieved when the Ministry of Health teams and the WHO teams deliver as one. It is a collective public health triumph achieved through science, national mobilization, and international solidarity.”
Understanding Trachoma and Elimination Efforts
Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, spreads through contact with infected eye discharge, leading to trichiasis—a painful condition that can result in blindness. Globally, the disease remains endemic in many vulnerable communities with limited access to water and sanitation.
In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, NGOs, and academic institutions. WHO continues to support endemic countries in accelerating progress towards the global goal of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide.
Broader Implications for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) encompass a diverse group of 21 conditions with devastating health, social, and economic consequences, affecting one billion people globally. These diseases predominantly impact impoverished communities in tropical areas.
Public health targets for controlling, eliminating, and eradicating these conditions were set in the roadmap for NTDs 2021–2030. In 2025 alone, nine countries were validated, verified, or certified by WHO for achieving these targets. Following Libya’s validation for trachoma elimination, it becomes the 59th country globally and the 10th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.
The announcement comes as a beacon of hope and a testament to what can be achieved with concerted efforts, international cooperation, and unwavering commitment to public health. As Libya celebrates this historic victory, the global community is reminded of the power of collective action in overcoming the world’s most persistent health challenges.
