Mauritania Hosts Pivotal Trachoma Meeting of Francophone African Health Experts

Nouakchott, Mauritania – Health experts and national focal persons from across 14 countries convened in Nouakchott, Mauritania, from October 24-26 for the annual meeting of the Francophone African Network of Trachoma Experts (Réseau Africain Francophone des Experts du Trachome - RAFET) and the Lake Chad Region trachoma endemic countries cross-border collaboration meeting. This significant event was officially opened by the Honorable Minister of Health of Mauritania, Her Excellency Madam Naha mint Hamdi O. Mouknass, marking a collaborative effort to address the region's trachoma challenges.

Trachoma, the world's leading infectious cause of blindness, remains a public health problem in several African countries. The RAFET meeting aimed to bolster the fight against this disease by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and strategies among professionals, including an insightful contribution from ESPEN trachoma expert Dr Amir B. Kello, and participants from 12 Francophone African countries, along with representatives from Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

During this year's gathering, participants focused on several critical aspects of trachoma control. Key topics included the preparation of national trachoma dossiers, strategies to reach special populations, and the implementation of surgical audits for trachomatous trichiasis (TT), the painful, blinding stage of the disease. The discussions underscored the importance of achieving full geographic coverage and transition planning for TT surgical services to ensure sustainable healthcare solutions.

The meeting also delved into the SAFE strategy, an integrated approach endorsed by the World Health Organization, emphasizing also the need for more focus on facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to combat trachoma effectively. By sharing experiences and best practices, the experts aimed to refine their national plans and contribute to the global goal of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem by 2030.

The convergence of these dedicated professionals in Mauritania signifies a renewed commitment to eliminating trachoma and preventing blindness in affected populations. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to influence policy and programmatic actions at both national and regional levels, paving the way toward a trachoma-free future.