Future approaches to trachoma control: Report of a global scientific meeting, Geneva, 17–20 June 1996

Overview

A global scientific meeting on "Future approaches to trachoma control" was convened by the WHO Programme for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness, from 17 to 20 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was supported by The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and the Task Force of the Partnership Committee of Nongovernmental Organizations collaborating with the WHO Programme.

Dr R. H. Henderson, Assistant Director-General, opened the meeting, pointing out that WHO had initially addressed the problem of trachoma as early as the Third World Health Assembly in 1950. However, despite activities undertaken and progress made in several Member States, trachoma remains a public health problem in the economically weak areas of the world, being today a disease of the poorest of the poor.

Recent developments to improve trachoma control have included:

• a simplified grading scheme to assess disease prevalence and severity;
• a standardized surgical procedure for trichiasis;
• development of strategies for community involvement in trachoma control;
• information on risk factors for trachoma, facilitating targeted intervention in priority areas.

Furthermore, the recent finding that azithromycin appears particularly effective in treating inflammatory disease offers a real possibility for more effective control of the disease in the future. As trachoma is found today in many of the poorest countries, where there are limited resources and competing priorities for health care, Dr Henderson acknowledged the important role that NGDOs can play in assisting Member Slates to develop trachoma control activities.

After introduction of the participants, Dr Hannah Faal was unanimously elected Chairperson, and Dr Tun Aung Kyaw, Vice-Chairperson. Mr Jeff Mecaskey and Dr Allen Foster agreed to act as Rapporteurs. The draft agenda was adopted with no modification (Annex I) and the list of participants is given in Annex 2.