The Fred Hollows Foundation, in partnership with the Pacific Eye Institute, has recognized Fiji’s significant strides toward eliminating trachoma as a public health threat. Despite the low prevalence of blinding trachoma as a cause of vision loss in the country, Kirti Prasad, a representative of the foundation, highlighted that the infection persists in some communities, keeping the concern relevant.
In collaboration with the Pacific Eye Institute and the New Zealand branch of the Fred Hollows Foundation, initiatives are aimed at enhancing the training of regional healthcare workers. This effort is designed to improve eye health service delivery and health surveillance across the Pacific. Prasad expressed a strong commitment to empowering Pacific ophthalmologists, nurses, and eye care workers to ensure high-quality care and effective monitoring of eye health services in the region.
Although the foundation’s direct role in the trachoma program has been limited due to its low prevalence, it has actively supported various training programs and field activities. Prasad reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to strengthening national health systems and its enthusiasm for ongoing collaboration to combat trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases.
Fiji’s recent validation by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a country that has successfully eliminated trachoma is a testament to the efforts of both local and international partners. Health leaders, including Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, viewed this achievement as a significant milestone towards achieving health equity throughout the Pacific region. The elimination of trachoma not only benefits current populations but also secures better health outcomes for future generations, emphasizing the ongoing necessity of sustained healthcare initiatives.
With Fiji now among 26 countries globally that have eradicated trachoma, it is also positioned as the 58th nation to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease. This milestone serves as a catalyst for community celebrations and a renewed commitment to addressing other critical public health issues, including skin diseases and overall eye health. The collective efforts to enhance public health in Fiji create optimism for a future characterized by continued advancements and improvements in health and well-being. The journey toward better health outcomes illustrates the power of cooperation in achieving significant public health milestones.