| In 1961, the Organisation de Coordination et de Cooperation pour Ia lutte contre les Grandes Endemies (OCCGE)launched a mass campaign in French-speaking West Africa to control trachoma. Mobile ophthalmic units visited endemic areas, particularly in the Ivory Coast, Dahomey, Mali, and Niger. They systematically screened the population for trachoma and conjunctivitis; distributed free aureomycin ointment (3)for treatment; and treated surgically those who suffered from advanced trachoma. Since prophylaxis primarily depends on an understanding of the way ophthalmic infections are transmitted, this information was broadcast over the radio through slogans. Until 1966 a total of 575 localities had been visited; 45 164 cases of trachoma were detected in 244 154 examinations, and the 38 489 cases in the active stage were treated. Surgical intervention corrected 4 532 cases of advanced trachoma. Since that time the programmes have been administered nationally with the help of OCCGEtrained sanitary attendants. |