• Focus on Mali: The Impact of Eliminating Trachoma
• Focus on Mali: Bako Traore
• Focus on Mali: Kawoure Doucouré

- Mali

• Mali’s National Trachoma Control Program began in 2000, administrated under the National Blindness Prevention Program
• National Blindness Prevention Program Coordinator:  Dr. Bamani Sanoussi

 *Integrated Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Initiatives*

Mali, one of the world’s most NTD-affected countries, is working with the help of its partners in NTD-control to research new ways of integrating and preventing these debilitating—yet preventable and treatable—diseases.  In 2007, Mali began Integrated Mass Drug Administration for trachoma and four other NTDs:  onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminths.

ITI began supporting trachoma control activities in Mali in 2000 in tandem with the Government of Mali’s National Blindness Prevention Program. 

Building on its expertise in trachoma control, ITI supports the pioneering work in integrated NTD control in Mali.  With a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ITI is working with the Government of Mali to explore the feasibility of integrating prevention, treatment, and management of trachoma and another NTD, lymphatic filariasis.

• Downloadable list of SAFE strategy implementing partners in Mali
• Surgery:   A total number of 25,435 people underwent surgery for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in Mali to date.  In 2007, 2,890 people received TT surgery.
• Antibiotics:  Over 13.5 million treatments of Zithromax have been administered to date.  In 2007, ITI and its partners supported the administration of close to 1.8 million treatments.

Facial Cleanliness and Environmental Improvement

• In 2007, 13,610 latrines were constructed by trachoma control partners.
• Estimated percentage of population with access to functional water source within 1-hour travel time:  63%

Population: 12,649,860
Human Development Rank:  173 out of 177
Total # Districts in Mali:  59
Trachoma Endemic Districts: 37