This year, Niger, Georgia, and Guinea have achieved major public health milestones, eliminating river blindness, malaria, and sleeping sickness, respectively.

Niger: First in Africa to Eliminate River Blindness
River blindness, caused by a parasitic worm and spread by black flies, once affected millions. Symptoms include blindness and severe itching. Niger’s success stems from a dedicated elimination program, including regular treatment of black fly breeding sites with rotating larvicides to prevent resistance.

Georgia: Malaria-Free After Decades of Struggle
Once a widespread threat, malaria plagued 30% of Georgia’s population in the 1920s. Despite near-elimination in the 1950s, the disease resurged. In 2005, Georgia renewed its commitment through the Tashkent Declaration. With sustained investment, early detection, and effective treatment, Georgia has now become the 46th country to eliminate malaria, bringing Europe closer to becoming the world’s first malaria-free region.

Guinea: Eliminating Sleeping Sickness
Sleeping sickness, caused by tsetse fly bites, leads to neurological symptoms if untreated. Guinea’s Ministry of Health, alongside WHO and other partners, launched a national program in the 1990s, focusing on mass screenings and treatment. In 2012, vector control interventions further reduced transmission. After years of effort, Guinea now joins 15 other African nations in eradicating the disease.

WHO certifies malaria elimination when a country proves three consecutive years without local transmission—a testament to these nations' dedication to public health.

What's right: three countries eradicate three diseases

From a global challenge to the Maasai steppe of Tanzania
Most climate change predictions show an upward trend in temperature for at least the next nine decades. Rural communities whose health and livelihoods depend on the environment are more vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, persistent droughts have made Maasai communities in northern Tanzania vulnerable to sleeping sickness, a disease spread by the tsetse fly. Paul Gwakisa of Sokoine University has dedicated his research to helping the Maasai people better understand and prevent outbreaks of sleeping sickness in their communities. Pierre Quiblier of the UN Environment Programme also speaks about global efforts to better tackle climate change through an integrated “One Health” approach that brings together sectors such as agriculture, health and the environment.


Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by the following guests:

Paul Gwakisa,
Professor of Immunology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Pierre Quiblier
Programme Officer, Chemicals and Health Branch, United Nations Environment Programme

Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website.

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Encore - Climate change’s impact on health

Kenya has officially declared the country free of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)—commonly known as sleeping sickness

What’s right: Kenya Eliminates Sleeping Sickness

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