Public health officials, for example, speculate that they can prevent 100 cases of trachoma for the cost of one cataract operation. The challenge of implementation Health and development officials at the national level have competing demands for scarce resources. They must make difficult decisions about which programs to support. In areas where trachoma is a major problem, prevention and control are now possible. Research has given us strategies that are low-cost, effective, and can be integrated into the existing health care system.
Materials are available for training and implementation.
For any program to be strong and sustainable, however, it must be supported by the community. Ministries of health, planning, and education must assist local efforts. A few communities are showing the way-that it is possible to control trachoma and help themselves move another step toward development. Trachoma need no longer be an obstacle to progress.