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During World Antimicrobial Awareness week (WAAW), between November 18<\/span>th<\/span> – 24<\/span>th<\/span>, the Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC) celebrates the journey antibiotics take from giant pharmaceutical companies to underserved African communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The journey is like a well-oiled machine, managed by nonprofit organizations like OPC, to benefit populations in need and fight neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The process works. In 2002, 1.5 billion people needed pharmaceutical treatment to treat trachoma<\/a> \u2013 the leading infectious cause of blindness. In 2023, it has decreased to 116 million.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to partners working generously together for years, trachoma has been officially eliminated as a public health crisis in six African countries. However, 23 still require intervention.<\/span><\/p>\n OPC is committed to being a core contributor in the global fight to end NTDs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The fight against NTDs begins with the generosity of pharmaceutical companies such as Pfzier \u2013 who recently donated its billionth dose of Zithromax, the antibiotic used in OPC\u2019s work in treating trachoma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, it isn\u2019t as simple as handing medication out after it is donated. Pharmaceuticals have prerequisite qualifications to receive antibiotics. OPC helps countries meet these standards as well as manages the safe storage, remote transportation, and distribution of antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t an easy feat. Not only are the areas we serve difficult to reach, we also overcome daily challenges such as insecurity, political upheaval, weather emergencies, and migrations of those in need. Still, we leave no one behind.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our role in the journey of antibiotics is to be logistical and medical experts \u201con the ground.\u201d For example, Zithromax comes in eye ointment, powder, and tablet forms and requires specific dosing based on age, or weight if age is unknown.<\/span><\/p>\n Antibiotics are a critical piece of the puzzle in the fight against NTDs<\/a> \u2013 but not the only one. To ensure we\u2019re on the path to eradicating trachoma and other NTDs, we work to provide access to clean water, sanitation, and educate the community on facial cleanliness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We also perform surgery for patients suffering from an advanced form of trachoma, called trichiasis. Trichiasis is caused by repeat infections of trachoma over several years and can cause varying degrees of loss of sight. While sight cannot be regained through surgery, further deterioration of sight is prevented.<\/span><\/p>\n With success in contributing to Mali and Mauritania\u2019s eradication of trachoma, we are now working with partners such as <\/span>Sightsavers<\/b><\/a> in Chad and <\/span>The End Fund<\/b><\/a> in Central Africa Republic with the same goal.<\/span><\/p>\n It is these rich partnerships with other nonprofits, governments, and health organizations, our unified vision and procedures, and our eye health expertise that puts the end of trachoma within our reach in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\nFrom Giant Pharmaceutical to Remote African Village<\/h2>\n
The Role of the Organization for the Prevention of Blindness<\/h2>\n