Following growing concern among affected people, Nigeria and 15 other countries have received $36.5 million to eradicate Trachoma by 2027. Country Director for Sightsavers, Dr Joy Shu’aibu, who disclosed this in a statement noted the distressing effects of trachoma on individuals as it limits their ability to work, sustain livelihoods, perform household tasks, and pursue education; comparing the sting of pain to that of having sand or thorns embedded in the eyes.

  

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is transmitted by direct or indirect transfer of eye and nose discharges of infected people, particularly young children who harbour the principal reservoir of infection.

Shu’aibu explained that the funding is derived from various international donors, notably the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the ELMA Foundation, and others.

She stated that that the infusion of the new funding will intensify support for 16 additional countries, including Nigeria, to decisively tackle the scourge of trachoma; stressing that the additional funds would extend the reach of the programme that commenced in 2018.

The primary objective of the initiative is to eliminate trachoma as a public health concern by 2027 in 12 targeted countries. Additionally, support will be extended to Ethiopia, which bears the world’s highest burden of the disease.