Sololá, Guatemala, January 2025 (PAHO) - As part of the effort to eliminate trachoma -- the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world -- a post-surgical campaign was held at the Guineales comprehensive care center in Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán in the department of Sololá. The center functions under Sololá’s Departmental Office for Integrated Health Services Networks (DDRISS) . This activity is part of a series of culturally relevant actions implemented with a view to eliminating the disease as a public health problem in Guatemala.
Trachoma mainly affects remote and poor communities. In children, it may cause discomfort, secretions, and mild eye irritation. However, following recurrent infections throughout their lives, adults in advanced stages of the disease can suffer from eyelashes rubbing against the cornea, which causes severe pain and can lead to blindness. Prevention and treatment is essential to prevent visual impairment and the resulting serious impacts on the lives of affected individuals and their communities.
Guatemala is the country closest to trachoma elimination in the Americas. Several actions have been taken in the country to combat the disease, including mass administration of antibiotics to children, corrective surgeries and postoperative follow-ups for older people with trachomatous trichiasis (TT), searches for unreported cases, community dialogues to improve face washing and acceptance of corrective surgeries, joint work with community leaders to promote environmental improvements, and evaluations and surveys to monitor the impact of these actions on the prevalence of follicular trachoma and TT.
In January, a post-surgical campaign was conducted at the Guineales comprehensive care center, where the condition of operated patients was evaluated and the improvement in their quality of life was noted. Manuela Suy, Pedro Gonzales, Julia Tum Lopez, Micaela Tzorin, Maria Tahay, and many others have experienced a remarkable recovery.
These actions are part of the Initiative for the Elimination of Trachoma in the Americas, a partnership between the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Government of Canada, together with the Ministry of Health of Guatemala. The interventions are aligned with PAHO's strategy for the elimination of 30 communicable diseases and related conditions by 2030, with a common, integrated, and sustainable approach.
Through the joint efforts of communities and health organizations, Guatemala is one step closer to eliminating trachoma and improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.
