The Carter Center's pioneering efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease in South Sudan are featured in the documentary "Lifelines: How to Slay a Dragon," which was broadcast outside the United States on Al Jazeera English. The "Lifelines" series, which profiles the extraordinary work of global health workers in the poorest and most vulnerable communities, also features the Center's River Blindness Program in Uganda and Trachoma Control Program in Ethiopia.
In 1986, when The Carter Center began leading the international campaign to eradicate this debilitating disease there were an estimated 3.5 million cases worldwide. By 2013, that worldwide number had dropped to 148, and through May of 2014, there have been just 17 provisional cases reported worldwide, 12 of those in South Sudan.
Watch the videos below to learn more about how The Carter Center, working closely with ministries of health, local communities, and others, is wiping out this ancient disease in South Sudan, one worm at a time.
Editor's note: The videos below contain graphic footage of medical procedures which may be disturbing to some viewers.
Trailer | Lifelines Health Hero: Makoy Samuel Yibi
Documentary | "How To Slay A Dragon"
Other Resources
Guinea Worm Disease Case Totals
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