The Problem
- Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of preventable blindness in the world.
- The painful disease results from a bacterium prevalent in poor communities with limited access to adequate sanitation and clean water.
- If left untreated, recurrent scarring of the eyelid cause the eyelashes to turn inward and rake the cornea – so the sufferer literally blinks herself blind.
- Endemic in 55 countries, with 75% of the afflicted in Africa, trachoma has left 8 million people irreversibly blind and another 84 million in need of treatment.
What HKI Is Doing
- HKI implements the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy (Surgery-Antibiotics-Face cleanliness-Environmental improvements) through community-based programs.
- HKI strengthens and empowers struggling government health systems by training surgeons and nurses and by providing necessary antibiotic supplies and surgical materials. The simple surgical procedure to correct trichiasis, the blinding stage of trachoma, has a success rate of 80%, and can cost as little as $10 per person.
- HKI’s school health programs motivate children to practice frequent face-washing and other preventive habits.
- HKI works with local governments and organizational partners such as WaterAid to help deliver environmental changes like expanding access to clean water.
- Last year, nearly 20,000 children in Africa were screened for trachoma and 2,600 teachers were trained in teaching trachoma control, reaching 120,000 school children.
