Timor-Leste has achieved a major public health milestone after the World Health Organization (WHO) validated the country’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection and a leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. The achievement makes Timor-Leste the latest country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to reach this elimination milestone, bringing the entire region closer to ending the disease.
“Timor-Leste has once again demonstrated that strong national leadership, high-quality evidence and integrated health services can deliver lasting public health gains,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. “The country’s approach also shows the value of integrating surveillance across diseases so that limited resources produce the greatest possible benefit for communities.”
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The validation followed years of surveillance and investigations to determine whether active transmission remained. Earlier assessments conducted between 2015 and 2017 found no evidence of trachoma, while a nationwide survey in 2025 tested 4,949 samples from children aged 1–5 years across all 13 municipalities and found no transmission requiring targeted intervention.
“Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, officially validated by WHO, is a source of immense national pride. This achievement was made possible by sustained national commitment and the collective efforts of our health workers, communities and partners, to whom we extend our deepest gratitude,” said Dr Élia A. dos Reis Amaral, SH, Minister of Health, Government of Timor-Leste. “It renews our resolve to advance universal health coverage and build an equitable and resilient health system that reaches and protects every person, wherever they live. We call on the global health community to deepen cooperation and solidarity so that every country and every community can overcome preventable diseases and secure a healthier future for generations to come.”
“Timor-Leste’s validation for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is a remarkable achievement and testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to ending preventable diseases,” said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. “It reflects strong national leadership, dedicated health workers, sustained community engagement, and robust, high-quality integrated surveillance and public health action. WHO is honored to have partnered with the Ministry of Health and people in this journey and will continue to support in sustaining these gains and advancing its inspiring multi-disease elimination agenda.”
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Health authorities will continue monitoring for individual cases and providing treatment for related eye conditions. Specialist services, including surgery for trichiasis, will remain available through the country’s national eye-care system.
WHO highlighted Timor-Leste’s sustained health leadership, community involvement and integrated disease surveillance as key factors behind the achievement. The country will continue strengthening eye health, sanitation and hygiene programmes as part of its broader public health efforts.
