Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills and practises based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Traditional medicine is often termed alternative or complementary medicine in many countries. Herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine and 70% to 80% of the Region has used a form as primary health care.

Trachoma is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to mankind. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis – a microorganism which spreads through contact with eye discharge from an infected person (on towels, handkerchiefs, fingers, etc.) and through eye-seeking flies.

After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid can become so severely scarred that the eyelid turns inward and the eyelashes rub on the eyeball. If untreated, this condition leads to the formation of irreversible corneal opacities and blindness.