Lions, Carter Center Celebrate Health Gains Against Trachoma in Ethiopia

10 Millionth Dose of Zithromax

23 January 2008 -- AWI ZONE, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA. . .Today a group led by Lions Clubs International Foundation Chairperson Jimmy Ross witnessed a historic moment in trachoma control when the 10 millionth dose of azithromycin (Zithromax®) was dispensed to a person in Awi Zone. The antibiotic, donated by Pfizer Inc, is a main strategy in the fight against the blinding disease in poor, rural areas.

Representatives from The Carter Center, Lions clubs of Ethiopia, Pfizer, the national trachoma program, government of Ethiopia, and other partner organizations joined the celebration.

"As Lions, we are passionate about the need to end preventable blindness," said Ross. "It is heartening to see Ethiopian Lions making such a difference in their community."

Awi Zone is located in the most trachoma-endemic area of the country. Together with the Amhara Regional Health Bureau, the international coalition is working to eliminate trachoma as a source of blindness from the region by 2012.

A disease caused by bacterial infection, trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Seven million people have lost their sight due to trachoma and another 500 million are at risk worldwide. It is estimated that there are 1 million Ethiopians suffering from severe trachoma who are at risk of immediate blindness, 600,000 of whom live in Amhara.

"Rosalynn and I have seen the devastating effects of uncontrolled trachoma on people and their families in Ethiopia," said former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Lion and founder of The Carter Center. "The 10 millionth dose represents remarkable progress for those families suffering from the disease and proves that we can empower communities to protect themselves from blindness in the future. Lions Clubs International Foundation is a vital partner in this effort."

Trachoma control is based on the integrated strategy known as SAFE—Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. To achieve Ethiopia's goal of eliminating trachoma from Amhara by 2012, the entire population at risk, around 18 million people, will need a minimum of three annual doses of the antibiotic in addition to reducing trachoma through improved sanitation and hand and face washing. The 10 millionth dose comes after just 18 months of full scale intervention and points toward meeting the elimination target date.

The Carter Center, with support from its partners, has been fighting trachoma in Africa since 1998. Today the Trachoma Control Program assists ministries of health in six endemic countries in Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan. The Center's efforts are part of a global push to eliminate the blinding effects of the disease worldwide by 2020, including Ethiopia.

The Lions Clubs International Foundation has been involved with blindness prevention and treatment for more than 80 years through their SightFirst program. In addition to supporting tens of thousands of cataract operations, training ophthalmic nurses and surgeons, and strengthening eye care centers in rural and underserved areas, Lions educate communities on sight diseases and help to distribute azithromycin to fight trachoma.

Source: Carter Center

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