Libya has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, according to validation announced by the World Health Organization today. The achievement makes Libya the 28th country worldwide and the eighth in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to reach this milestone in preventing blindness from the neglected tropical disease.

The WHO validation represents a significant public health victory for Libya, particularly given the country’s recent years of political instability and humanitarian challenges that strained health services and displaced populations, according to the international health organization.

“This milestone reflects Libya’s determination to safeguard the health of its people and reinforces our conviction that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in the announcement.

Trachoma has plagued Libya for over a century, with 20th century surveys documenting high levels of active inflammatory trachoma in communities across the country, particularly in southern regions, according to WHO records. The infectious eye disease can lead to preventable blindness if left untreated.

Libya’s Ministry of Health began early control efforts against infectious eye disease in the 1970s and 1980s, followed by health system strengthening that dramatically reduced transmission rates, according to the WHO announcement. In 2017, the ministry prioritized trachoma elimination as part of national eye health work within the National Prevention of Blindness Programme.

The elimination effort required extensive surveying and intervention work. In 2022, new surveys conducted across six southern districts where trachoma was suspected to persist found active trachoma and trichiasis prevalences below WHO elimination thresholds in most areas, according to the validation announcement. Trichiasis, a condition associated with trachoma, remained above the threshold only in Wadi Al Hayaa/Ghat district, prompting a targeted surgical campaign.

A follow-up survey in 2025 confirmed that trichiasis prevalence had fallen below WHO’s elimination threshold across all surveyed areas, according to the organization.

“This validation is a source of pride for Libya and a testament to the commitment of our health workers and communities,” said Dr. Mohamed Al-Ghoj, Acting Minister of Health. “Even through difficult years, we maintained our focus on improving eye health services and ensuring no one was left behind.”

The achievement required coordination between multiple organizations. WHO provided technical support alongside Sightsavers, International Trachoma Initiative and Tropical Data, according to the announcement. The national trachoma elimination programme integrated surveillance, expanded surgical care access, built capacity among eye health workers and partnered with national and international stakeholders.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the regional significance of Libya’s success. “Libya joins a growing group of countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region that have eliminated trachoma,” Balkhy said. “This result reflects strong regional coordination and Libya’s perseverance during periods of great challenge.”

The elimination demonstrates how evidence-based programming and coordinated technical support can overcome neglected tropical diseases, even amid complex humanitarian and migration dynamics, according to WHO officials.

Libya’s success occurred despite years of political instability and humanitarian challenges that increased demand for basic services including water, sanitation and hygiene—factors that typically complicate disease elimination efforts, according to the WHO validation.

The WHO Country Office in Libya provided extensive technical and operational support throughout the elimination process to prevent, detect and control diseases while ensuring optimal health outcomes, according to the announcement.

The validation protects future generations of Libyans from preventable blindness and serves as an example for other countries working to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, according to WHO officials.