Trachoma is a painful eye disease that has plagued humanity for thousands of years, destroying lives and trapping people in poverty. But it can be treated, cured and prevented from recurring.

Since 2018, our Accelerate programme has protected 14 million people from trachoma. We’ve also helped Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Benin and Mali, and Pakistan to eliminate the disease. However, while 19 countries around the world have beaten trachoma, there are still at least 39 where it’s counted as a public health problem. This means that more than 103 million people are still at risk.

We’re working to eliminate trachoma in many of its remaining strongholds by helping governments to distribute medication, train health workers and perform sight-saving operations. The impact goes far beyond individual people.

Banishing the disease ensures children can go to school and fulfil their potential. It reduces the burden of care on women, who are almost twice as likely to go blind from the disease than men. And it ensures adults can earn an income to support their families, helping to improve the economy.

All of this takes us closer to achieving universal health coverage, fulfilling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and creating a more equal world.