Timor-Leste Eliminates Trachoma, Clearing WHO South-East Asia Region

The WHO reached its conclusion after a decade of intensive field investigations. Between 2015 and 2017, health teams conducted house-to-house searches and clinic screenings, including on Atauro Island, without identifying active transmission. A comprehensive 2025 nationwide survey further solidified these findings, analyzing 4,949 samples from young children across all 13 municipalities and confirming that the disease no longer warrants dedicated intervention.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, credited the success to rigorous planning and modern surveillance. While the country has reached this goal, officials emphasize that vigilance remains. The national eye-care system, anchored by the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares in Dili, will continue to provide surgical care for advanced trichiasis cases. Ongoing monitoring for the disease is now integrated into broader national surveillance platforms, supported by expanded access to clean water and sanitation.

Minister of Health Dr. Élia A. dos Reis Amaral noted that the achievement reflects the dedication of local health workers and international partners, including The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Menzies School of Health Research. By embedding trachoma oversight into the national health framework, Timor-Leste demonstrates that sustained, evidence-based public health strategies can overcome significant barriers to prevent blindness.