In January 2021, the World Health Organization launched a new global road map for neglected tropical diseases. The road map, which was endorsed by World Health Assembly Member States in November 2020, provides a blueprint for tackling all 20 NTDs, including a target to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2030.
Trachoma specific targets include: 10 countries validated for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem by 2020, 28 countries validated by 2023, 43 countries validated by 2025 and 66 countries validated by 2030.
The road map highlights three critical actions for trachoma:
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Improve access to high-quality surgery, tracking of outcomes and management of post-surgery trachomatous trichiasis; initiate management of people with trachomatous trichiasis as soon as possible.
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Increase knowledge through research, and extend partnerships to increase work, specifically on facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to reduce transmission.
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Develop an efficient, cost–effective way to detect and monitor recrudescence of infection, which could be important for post-validation.
The road map also includes a range of cross cutting targets including 100% access to at least basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene in areas endemic for NTDs, which is aligned with targets 6.1 and 6.2 of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
