Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major health milestone for the country. Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness globally.
Validation followed a multi-year process with targeted assessments between 2023 and 2026, focusing on communities with specific environmental and social risk factors. These assessments found no evidence of active trachoma transmission, no signs of disease in children, and no advanced cases causing blindness in adults, confirming trachoma is no longer a public health problem in El Salvador.
El Salvador’s achievement reflects strong political commitment, strategic investment, and community engagement. The approach included strengthened primary health care, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), enhanced eye health services, and collaboration among government, communities, and international partners.
To maintain this status, systems have been established with trained health personnel, integrated surveillance, and the ability to detect and manage trichiasis cases within the national health system. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called this milestone an important step toward the global goal of eliminating trachoma by 2030.
El Salvador's Health Minister, Francisco Alabi, expressed pride in achieving this within three years, noting support from the Pan American Health Organization and the Embassy of Canada.