AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - "Stop contagion": campaign against trachoma

Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides) - There are 2 million blind people around the world due to trachoma, an eye infection that spreads in precarious hygiene conditions through contact, even with a simply kiss or a caress. In Ethiopia, out of 91 million people, about 1 million are blind and 4 million partially-sighted. In the Amhara Region, 1 child out of 2 if not treated may become blind. For over three years CBM Italia Onlus has been working in the African Country with the World Health Organization (WHO), applying the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics Facial cleanliness Environmental improvement) strategy.
According to the note sent to Fides, SAFE is divided into 4 phases: surgical trichiasis treatment, distribution of antibiotics to cure infection, education to proper cleansing and facial and body hygiene, improvement of hygienic-environmental conditions. CBM Italy has just launched the campaign "Stop Contagion". The new goals of treating 13,500 people are: distributing antibiotics to at least 450,000 people at risk of contagion, building 150 new wells and water systems to give a clean water source to 90,000 people and raise awareness on hygiene practices regarding 67,500 people. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 4/7/2017)

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