A new initiative targeting trachoma in some of the highest need countries in Africa is supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation through an annual partnership with UK-based organisation Sightsavers.

The Fast Track Initiative for Trachoma will get over $700,000 in contributions from The Foundation, according to CEO Brian Doolan.

"Over 30 years ago, Fred Hollows saw first-hand in remote Indigenous communities, how damaging trachoma can be," Doolan said.

"Today we are still working hard to eradicate this disease from Australia for good—and now, through this partnership with Sightsavers, we are spreading Fred's dream even further."

Countries targeted in this initiative will include: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. The initiative will provide these countries with surgeon training, health facility upgrades, purchase of medical equipment, and support thousands of essential eye surgeries.

Trachoma is a potentially devastating disease which causes inflammation of the eye and eyelid tissue. The disease is usually spreadthrough poor hygiene conditions and is one of the more painful ways to go blind.

The Foundation has resolved to eliminate trachoma worldwide by 2020 through treatment already proven successful in some countries.

The Fast Track Initiative for Trachoma is just one of many programs The Foundation is currently contributing to in the fight against this devastating disease.