At Work Around the World

Colombia

The Carter Center and its international partners helped more than 1,000 people receive two doses of Mectizan® in 2006, covering 96 percent of those at risk for river blindness.


Building Hope

Gold, platinum, and emeralds are just some of the precious metals and minerals of Colombia's natural resources. However, rebel insurgent and paramilitary-run drug trafficking rings support the wealthiest populations in Colombia, leaving much of the country's potential unrealized. Hope is found in the fight against river blindness, a painful and debilitating disease on the verge of eradication in the Americas thanks to Carter Center efforts. If this disease is eradicated in the region, perhaps other significant problems may be addressed with the same commitment and diligence.


Fighting Disease

Regional Eradication of River Blindness in the Americas

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a debilitating disease spread by the bite of black flies. It causes blindness and severe skin disease in an estimated 17.7 million people around the world, 500,000 of whom reside in Latin America. In the López de Micay municipality of the southwestern Cauca state of Colombia, 1,163 people are in need of treatment twice a year to prevent the onset of permanent blindness from this disease*.

Colombia has come a long way toward eliminating onchocerciasis and is now on the verge of doing so thanks to program efforts. In 1996, when the onchocerciasis control activities began, only 835 people were treated for the disease. Today, many will be spared from the loss of their sight. Due in part to full integration of onchocerciasis treatment into national health services, The Carter Center and its international partners, such as Merck & Co. Inc., have helped more than 1,000 Colombians receive two doses of Mectizan® in 2006, covering 96 percent of the eligible population. Colombia exceeded the treatment coverage goal for the eighth consecutive year.

However, more must be done to ensure that onchocerciasis does not return to Colombia. Political unrest in the area threatens to interrupt treatment. Additionally, the mobilization of endemic communities to participate in health education must consistently be utilized as a valuable tool for preventing further infections.

Finally, as disease prevalence wanes, adequate financing will be vital in the fight for regional elimination. Although The Carter Center and the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas have planned to cover the financial costs of activities implemented in the nation, Colombia and Latin America will need the continued support of the international community if elimination is to be achieved.

Such a success story not only will benefit the people of Colombia and the rest of Latin America but also will serve to inspire the rest of the world, demonstrating that difficult problems such as these can be addressed with similar hard work and dedication.

To learn more about the Center's work fighting river blindness click here.

Read the news release: Colombia is First Country to Interrupt Transmission of River Blindness >>