Ghana eliminates trachoma, freeing millions from suffering and blindness
Brazzaville | Accra | Geneva −− The World Health Organization (WHO) today congratulated Ghana for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
Ghana is the first country in WHO’s African Region to achieve this milestone.
In the early 1990s, there were an estimated 2.8 million people at risk of blindness from trachoma in the country.
Success came after almost two decades of implementing sustained control and elimination activities.
Ayisheitu AlHassan - trichiasis patient speaking after surgery. “I feel better today – I could not see well before the surgery, the eyelashes were pricking my eyeball so I couldn’t see well..."
Ayisheitu AlHassan
Ayisheitu AlHassan - trichiasis patient speaking after surgery. “I feel better today – I could not see well before the surgery, the eyelashes were pricking my eyeball so I couldn’t see well..."
Bukar Lasime - trichiasis patient. "Now I can work, I can cement the floor... I will help spread the information I will let people know the surgery is for free and it’s painless".
Bukar Lasime
Bukar Lasime - trichiasis patient. "Now I can work, I can cement the floor... I will help spread the information I will let people know the surgery is for free and it’s painless".
Fusi Kwadjah - Ophthalmic nurse. "When I give someone back their eyesight I feel excited ... it’s a very wonderful thing to do for someone".
Fusi Kwadjah
Fusi Kwadjah - Ophthalmic nurse. "When I give someone back their eyesight I feel excited ... it’s a very wonderful thing to do for someone".
Fusi Kwadjah - Ophthalmic nurse. " ... the eye is a very important area, it takes us everywhere we want to go, but as humans if I lose my sight I will be forced to sit at home or be a beggar and that is not good".
Fusi Kwadjah
Fusi Kwadjah - Ophthalmic nurse. " ... the eye is a very important area, it takes us everywhere we want to go, but as humans if I lose my sight I will be forced to sit at home or be a beggar and that is not good".
Dr Seth Wanye: "Trachoma is an excruciating disease that, after many years of untreated infection leads to blindness".
Dr Seth Wanye
Dr Seth Wanye. "Trachoma is an excruciating disease that, after many years of untreated infection leads to blindness".
Dr Seth Wanye. "If we are able to eliminate trachoma the child who suffers from the disease ... will be able to have clear eyes, good eyesight and go to schools".
Dr Seth Wanye
Dr Seth Wanye. "If we are able to eliminate trachoma the child who suffers from the disease ... will be able to have clear eyes, good eyesight and go to schools".
Child being examined during treatment campaign.
Eyes examination
Child being examined during treatment campaign.
Patient being treated for trachoma.
Treatment campaign
Patient being treated for trachoma.
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