Vietnam officially eliminates trachoma

Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam, presented the decision to announce the elimination of trachoma in Vietnam to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan - Photo: VGP/HN

The ceremony to announce the elimination of trachoma was held by the Ministry of Health at the Central Eye Hospital on April 14.

Vietnam is among 21 countries that have eliminated trachoma.

According to international evaluation criteria, at the 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region held in the Philippines on October 21, 2024, WHO officially recognized and honored Vietnam for its successful trachoma eradication.

This is an important milestone for Vietnam in general and the health sector in particular after more than 7 decades of striving and determination to prevent trachoma.

Thus, Vietnam is among 21 countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma.

Recognizing this achievement, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, said that the elimination of trachoma in Viet Nam is a testament to the commitment of the Government, health workers and communities across the country. It is also a prime example of how targeted interventions, strong partnerships and sustained efforts can bring about real change in people's health.

Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam, also emphasized that trachoma is a disease of poverty. In Vietnam, remote communities without clean water and poor sanitation are the most severely affected.

However, Vietnam has demonstrated that it is possible to reach the hardest-to-reach populations, invest appropriately to protect people's health and ensure a trachoma-free future.

Associate Professor Pham Ngoc Dong, Director of the Central Eye Hospital, spoke at the announcement ceremony - Photo: VGP/HM

More than 90% of people have trachoma

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Ngoc Dong, Director of the Central Eye Hospital, shared that since 1917, the Hang Ga Slope Eye Hospital was established by the French Government in Indochina to treat French and Vietnamese people. At that time, more than 90% of Vietnamese people suffered from trachoma. Of these, 15% of people had entropion due to trachoma, causing blindness in 2% of the rural population...

This is a disease that causes discomfort to the patient, reduces the quality of life, and even causes blindness due to complications such as trichiasis and corneal scarring. Before 1945, prevention of trachoma was almost negligible.

In 1957, the Trachoma Institute - the predecessor of today's Central Eye Hospital, was established, opening a new era in the fight against blindness in Vietnam. In particular, special priority was given to trachoma prevention.

Decades later, the movement to prevent trachoma spread throughout the country. The Trachoma Institute - Central Eye Hospital, as the core of the ophthalmology sector, has carried out research activities and applied advanced methods in trachoma prevention, while developing and training a network of ophthalmologists in localities, establishing mobile teams to examine eyes and perform trachoma surgery in the community, and launching propaganda movements to disseminate knowledge to the entire population on personal hygiene, preventing trachoma and related complications.

Under the leadership of the Party and Government, along with the tireless efforts of generations of ophthalmologists, the health sector and technical, medical and financial support from international organizations, trachoma is no longer a public health problem.

At the announcement ceremony, Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam, expressed her joy at joining Vietnam in celebrating the proud achievement in eliminating trachoma from public health.

This success reflects decades of efforts by the Government of Vietnam, integrated eye care services, improved water and sanitation, and community engagement. It is the result of sustained multi-sectoral collaboration.

Dr. Angela Pratt speaks at the announcement ceremony - Photo: VGP/HN

For a future without trachoma

The main causes of trachoma are poor hygiene, many family members living together in cramped spaces, inadequate access to clean water, inadequate access to and use of sanitation systems, etc.

For a trachoma-free future, Dr. Angela Pratt recommends that Vietnam implement three important actions in the coming time.

First, these results need to be sustained by continuing to use the tools that have brought success, such as close surveillance, ensuring access to eye care for people who have been infected with trachoma, and continuing access to community-based water and sanitation services – services that not only ensure trachoma prevention but also provide many other health benefits.

Second, ensure quality eye care for everyone, everywhere in Vietnam. Third, use the momentum generated by trachoma eradication to accelerate the eradication of other neglected tropical diseases.

Also at the announcement ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan highly appreciated the role of the Central Eye Hospital as the professional focal point in the implementation of the program to control and eliminate trachoma in Vietnam.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized that eliminating trachoma does not mean that we can be complacent or negligent. Instead, the task in the coming time is to continue to sustainably maintain the achievements that have been made, through strengthening the monitoring, detection and management of cases in the community; continuing to raise people's awareness of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and trachoma prevention.

Ensure resources and financial mechanisms for prevention activities, including payment for entropion surgery through health insurance according to regulations...

"Today's success is a source of pride for the Vietnamese health sector and also a motivation for us to continue striving towards the goal of ensuring universal health care, leaving no one behind," the Deputy Minister affirmed.

Hien Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-chinh-thuc-thanh-toan-benh-mat-hot-102250414160638655.htm