ITI

International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) is dedicated to eliminating blinding trachoma, the main cause of preventable blindness around the world. The leaders and main stakeholders of this initiative came to visit the ophthalmology hospital of the Bouamatou Foundation in April 2005. ITI carries out its mission - in countries where the World Health Organization has noted that trachoma remains one of the main causes of blindness - through targeted support for the expansion of the implementation of the SAFE strategy: - Surgery (surgery) to correct advanced stages of the disease - Antibiotics (antibiotics) to treat infections using Zithromax provided by Pfizer - Face washing (face washing) to reduce the transmission of the disease - Environmental change (environmental change) to develop access to clean water and improve sanitation to eliminate the disease. Founded in 1998 by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and Pfizer Inc, the objective of ITI is to globally eliminate blinding trachoma by implementing the SAFE strategy, including donated Zithromax, operational research, assessment programs, and communications. ITI helps to promote the four components of the SAFE strategy. We work with national programs to ensure access to surgical services for patients with advanced trachoma, the distribution of antibiotics, publicizing the benefits of face washing, and that communities work to improve access to clean water and sanitation. The donation by Pfizer Inc of Zithromax (azithromycin) is a central element of the support provided for the SAFE strategy by ITI. Zithromax has proven to be more effective and easier to administer than previous tetracycline-based remedies, which required twice-a-day application for six weeks. The result is a significant improvement in the control of trachoma. Working independently, ITI forms partnerships with international agencies as well as with governmental and non-governmental agencies. ITI is built on supporting the World Health Organization's objective to eliminate the major cause of preventable blindness before 2020, maintaining the highest standards in management and scientific research in the accomplishment of its mission.