Pakistan’s Journey towards the Elimination of Trachoma (Raja Mumtaz Memorial Lecture)

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v41i3.2123

Abstract

Pakistan’s journey towards the elimination of trachoma is a remarkable example of collaborative effort, perseverance, and strategic planning in public health. The efforts began with groundbreaking impact of Hugh Taylor’s 1980 report.¹ The report estimated that the prevalence of blindness in Pakistan was around 2%, with cataract identified as the most common cause. It also highlighted a gross mismatch in human resources, noting that 45 out of 64 districts were without an ophthalmologist. Moreover, it emphasized the urban-rural imbalance, pointing out that most ophthalmologists were based in urban areas, while the burden of blindness was concentrated in rural communities. That report served as a wake-up call for Pakistan’s government, leading to major reforms in the country’s eye care delivery system.