Trachoma, transmitted through direct contact and fomite transmission, is a common cause of visual impairment, morbidity, and blindness worldwide.  

Benin and Mali are the two African countries after Ghana, Gambia, Togo, and Malawi; to have eliminated the public health problem of Trachoma using the SAFE strategy.  

Benin eliminated Trachoma using an integrated approach with other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) under the National Programme for Communicable Diseases. 

Despite sociopolitical unrest, Mali has successfully eliminated the disease with the help of its surveillance system.  

With this, Mali has achieved its first milestone in eliminating NTDs.