Trachoma
Nepal Blindness Survey (1981) has identified trachoma as the second major cause of blindness after cataract. The survey has reported the overall prevalence of trachoma at 6.9% and identified trachoma as responsible for 2.4% of all blindness. Nepal Netra Jyoti S-angh is implementing National Trachoma Program to specifically address the unmet need of blindness due to trachoma. The S-A-F-E strategy outlined under the WHO Global Alliance for GET 2020 is being applied in the program districts. Data from hospitals and eye camps on trachoma are collected and Trachoma Rapid Assessments and Population based Surveys are being carried out in districts where blinding trachoma is likely to exist. This could lead to the mapping of trachoma endemic areas.
Trachoma is the most common cause of preventable blindness; the disease, in its active inflammatory form, affects close to 84 million people worldwide, mainly children and women.
- China: 26 million
- India: 20 million
- Ethiopia: 9 million
- Sudan, Egypt: 3 million
- Tanzania, Kenya, Yemen, Niger: 2 million
- Cambodia, Mali, Burkina, Brazil, Chad, Uganda: 1 million
It is estimated there are some 7.6 million cases of trachoma complications and/or blindness, which corresponds to almost 15 % of world blindness.
Trachoma, being an infectious disease, is related to living standards and hygiene in a community. Lack of water, crowding and unsanitary surroundings all contribute to the spread and intensity of the disease.
Nepal Blindness Survey (1981) has identified trachoma as the second major cause of blindness after cataract. The survey has reported the overall prevalence of trachoma at 6.9% and identified trachoma as responsible for 2.4% of all blindness in Nepal. Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh is implementing National Trachoma Program to specifically address the unmet need of blindness due to trachoma. The S-A-F-E strategy outlined under the WHO Global Alliance for GET 2020 is being applied in the program districts. Data from hospitals and eye camps on trachoma are collected and Trachoma Rapid Assessments and Population based Surveys are being carried out in districts where blinding trachoma is likely to exist. Based on the finding 10 districts Banke, Bardia, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Chitawan, Nawalparasi, Kapilbastu, Rupendehi, Dang and Surkhet are identified as Trachoma endemic area and undergoing Trachoma eliminating intervention: the SAFE strategy in these area.
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- December 6 2011
Two separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed on December 5, 2011 by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) for providing grant assistance of NRs. 4.42 crores to NNJS for eye care programme in various districts of Nepal during the year 2011-2012. The MOU will cover the cost of conducting over 15,000 cataract surgeries and also provide over 9,300 optical devices to vision impaired children through mobile screening camps to be held in various schools of Nepal as a ‘National Eye Sight Programme’. India will provide additional assistance of NRs. 0.18 crores for conducting 1000 Trachoma surgeries to the NNJS during the year 2011-2012.
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