Trachoma, a common eye infection among children that often leads to blindness, has been eliminated from the country, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) announced recently.
Praveen Vashist, a professor and the head of community ophthalmology, said trachoma among children has been a cause for worry for several decades.
Poor hygiene
Trachoma is caused by bacterial agent chlamydia trachomatis and usually spread due to flies, poor hygiene, crowded places, lack of water, and environmental factors such as humid conditions. Improper disposable of garbage also adds to the spread of the disease.
The announcement from AIIMS was made on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences.
“It’s a major achievement and part of the national three-year survey conducted in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry,” said Dr. Vashist.
High-risk States
He was part of the team of experts from the centre who visited high-risk States including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Nicobar Islands to conduct mass treatment programmes among children. AIIMS will now submit a report about the achievement to the Union Health Ministry.
About 50% to 80% children from north-west India showed incidence of trachoma in 1950s. This was followed by the Union Health Ministry starting the National Trachoma Control Programme.
First major survey
The first major survey on this ailment was conducted in 1971-74, which found that the disease was still prevalent and a major cause of blindness among children. The second major survey was conducted in 1986-89, the results of which turned out to be positive. It found only 10% to 15% children had contracted the disease.
National survey
Dr. Vashist noted that the most recent national survey that was done over three years ago.
“We discovered that nearly 50% of tribals in the Nicobar Islands were at high risk of contracting the disease. We recommended mass treatment for the entire population of the island. The tribals were trained to follow good hygiene in their daily lives as well,” he said.
Published - March 15, 2017 12:59 am IST
