Overview

• India, Mauritania, and Papua New Guinea have been officially validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
• Mauritania achieved elimination through the implementation of the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy, combining surgery, antibiotics, hygiene promotion, and sanitation improvements.
• Papua New Guinea relied on robust disease surveillance and epidemiological assessments, avoiding mass drug administration and surgery campaigns.
• These validations were formally recognized during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 19–20, 2025.
• Globally, 22 countries have now eliminated trachoma, while 56 have achieved elimination of at least one neglected tropical disease under WHO's 2021–2030 roadmap.