The World Health Organization has validated Libya’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 28th country worldwide to achieve this milestone despite years of political instability.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on February 18, 2026, that Libya has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, which is a significant public health victory for the country and WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Libya is globally 28th and in eastern mediterranean region, the 8th country to receive this validation, protecting future generations from a disease that caused preventable blindness for over a century.
“This milestone reflects Libya’s determination to safeguard the health of its people and reinforces our conviction that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, spreads through contact with infected eye discharge. Repeated infections scar the inner eyelid, turning eyelashes inward to scratch the eyeball, a painful condition called trichiasis that can lead to blindness. The disease has been documented in Libya for over a century, with historically high infection rates particularly in the country’s southern regions.
Libya’s journey to elimination is especially remarkable given years of political instability and humanitarian pressures that disrupted health services and displaced populations. In 2017, the Ministry of Health formally prioritised trachoma elimination within its National Prevention of Blindness Programme. Surveys conducted in 2022 across six southern districts with the support from WHO, Sightsavers, International Trachoma Initiative and Tropical Data found infection levels below WHO thresholds in most areas. A targeted surgery campaign followed in Wadi Al Hayaa/Ghat, and by 2025, final surveys confirmed full compliance with elimination criteria.
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“This validation is a source of pride for Libya and a testament to the commitment of our health workers and communities,” said Dr Mohamed Al-Ghoj, Acting Minister of Health. “Even through difficult years, we maintained our focus on improving eye health services and ensuring no one was left behind. This success would not have been possible without the professionalism and dedication of our doctors, nurses and health workers in the field who reached all and every district to ensure a future free of preventable blindness.”
Libya is now the 59th country globally to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
