Control and prevention of blindness and deafness | Events and meetings | The regional workshop planning for the elimination of blinding trachoma in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Cairo, Egypt, 28-30 November 2005

The regional workshop planning for the elimination of blinding trachoma in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Cairo, Egypt, 28-30 November 2005

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In order to enhance the elimination of blinding trachoma from the Eastern Mediterranean Region, a regional planning workshop was held in Cairo organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo in collaboration with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the Global Alliance for Trachoma Elimination.

Review the current situation of  blinding trachoma in EM Member States and activities for elimination of  blinding trachoma under the Global initiatives of GET 2020 of Vision 2020;

Review the progress achieved by some Member States and the constraints faced by the countries in the field of elimination of blinding trachoma;

Coordinate and enhance the  implementation of SAFE strategy in developing the national plan for elimination of blinding  trachoma under GET 2020;

Establish technical cooperation between Member States in the field of elimination of blinding trachoma based on the regional experiences; and

Form a regional partnership to ensure collaboration with all interested parties including international organizations, NGDOs, development organizations and others interested in elimination of blinding trachoma.   

Summary report

Statistics and figures

  • Over 23 million people are visually impaired in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, of whom 5 million people are blind
  • 80% of blindness is avoidable (treatable and/or preventable)
  • 90% of blind people live in developing countries
  • About 200 000 children are blind