International Coalition for Trachoma Control

Libya has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. It is the 28th country globally and the eighth country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this milestone.

The first known record on trachoma in Libya was published in 1920. It showed that the disease was widespread and one of the three leading causes of blindness in the country. In the 1930s, trachoma was observed in approximately 50% of the general population, including around half of all schoolchildren. This prompted further epidemiological surveys in 1970–1971, conducted in collaboration with WHO, which found active trachoma in 41% of boys and 43% of girls. Subsequent regional surveys reported prevalence estimates ranging from 38% to 62%.

From 1970 onwards, Libya introduced several interventions, including mass administration of chlortetracycline hydrochloride 1% eye ointment to schoolchildren for 10 days per month, for six months each year. The effectiveness of these campaigns varied, depending heavily on the commitment of school health authorities, including teachers, who administered the treatment in many areas. At the same time, Libya invested in improving living conditions through the provision of modern housing and expanded access to water and sanitation.

Together, these efforts contributed to a reduction in trachoma prevalence among elementary schoolchildren in southern Libya from 64% to 12% in 1974. From 1975 onwards, Ministry of Health data showed a marked national decline in active trachoma prevalence, particularly in coastal cities where more than 90% of the population lives.

In 2021, Libya’s Ministry of Health developed a targeted elimination strategy, with technical and operational support from WHO, the International Trachoma Initiative, Sightsavers and Tropical Data. The strategy prioritised completing outstanding surveys in six southern districts to confirm whether elimination thresholds had been met.

These surveys were finalized in 2022 and showed that all districts were below the threshold for active trachoma, and therefore antibiotic mass drug administration was not required. When individuals were diagnosed with active trachoma during routine eye examinations, oral azithromycin or topical tetracycline 1% eye ointment were prescribed.

One evaluation unit, Wadi al Hayaa/Ghat, was identified where the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT), the blinding stage of trachoma, remained above the elimination threshold. In response, a targeted TT surgery campaign was implemented to address the remaining cases. Follow-up TT-only surveys conducted in 2025 confirmed that TT prevalence had fallen below the elimination threshold, providing the final evidence required to validate the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Libya.

“The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is a significant victory for public health in Libya”, said Michaela Kelly, Chair, International Coalition for Trachoma Control. “Improved living standards, including water, sanitation and hygiene, probably played a significant role in reducing the prevalence of trachoma in Libya which was complemented by targeted interventions following high quality epidemiological surveys. ICTC congratulates the Government of Libya and all stakeholders involved in this achievement”. 

Libya’s trachoma elimination strategy emphasised facial cleanliness and environmental improvement as core measures to reduce transmission of conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis. The Ministry of Health placed particular emphasis on promoting regular face washing—especially among children and caregivers—through schools, community outreach, and national media. Messaging consistently highlighted daily face washing with clean water and soap as a key prevention measure. These activities were embedded within routine services, including monthly school-based hygiene sessions and household engagement by community health workers, and reinforced through periodic national media campaigns.

The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Libya follows a recent joint update from WHO, ICTC and ITI that the number of people requiring trachoma interventions globally has fallen by 94%, from 1.5 billion in 2002 to fewer than 100 million in 2026. This progress has been driven by strong country ownership to conduct high quality disease mapping and implementation of the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy inendemic areas. 

Trachoma is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem within Sustainable Development Goal target 3.3 and the neglected tropical diseases roadmap 2021–2030, endorsed by World Health Assembly Member States in November 2020. In 2025, ICTC published a report estimating that approximately USD $300 million is required to fill funding gaps for surgery, antibiotic mass drug administration, surveys and high priority research to achieve elimination by 2030. 

Countries previously validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.

Trachoma elimination in Libya was supported by multiple ICTC members and observers, including the International Trachoma Initiative, Sightsavers, Tropical Data, and WHO.