Timor-Leste officially eliminates trachoma
Timor-Leste officially eliminates trachoma
Updated at: September 5, 2026 at 02:30 AM
In a major public health victory, Timor-Leste has officially been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
Announced on September 4, 2026, this achievement is a historic milestone, making Timor-Leste the 33rd country globally to reach this status.
Crucially, its success means the entire WHO South-East Asia Region is now considered free of endemic trachoma.
The path to elimination involved years of rigorous evidence-based surveillance.
Following initial investigations between 2015 and 2017 that found no active cases, health authorities conducted extensive surveys, including a nationwide study in 2025 involving nearly 5,000 samples.
While this marks an end to trachoma as a public health threat, the country is not slowing down.
Timor-Leste is integrating trachoma surveillance into its existing health monitoring systems and continues to provide specialized eye care, such as trichiasis surgery, through the National Eye Centre.
By improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, the nation remains dedicated to broader health goals and universal health coverage, ensuring a healthier future for all its citizens.
