WHO: Global Action to Eliminate NTDs
The World Health Organization has offered global action to ease the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made the call on Tuesday in her message to commomerate the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with the theme ‘Unite. Act. Eliminate’.
She highlighted the need for reflection on progress made and renewed commitment towards eradicating NTDs especially in Africa.
The purpose of WNTDs Day is to raise the profile of neglected tropical diseases and the suffering they cause to garner support toward their control, elimination and eradication, in line with the targets set out in the NTDs Road Map 2021 – 2030.
It aims to raise commitments to the 2022 Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
According to the WHO, NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable parasitic, viral, bacterial, fungal, and infectious diseases that affect more than one billion people globally.
The UN health body noted that the diseases, which cause devastating health and economic problems, yet are not as well-known as other harmful diseases, include Bruli Ulcer, Chagas Disease, Dengue Fever, Rabies, and Noma Disease, among others.
Moeti said there is global progress geared toward eliminating the diseases, adding that the 2024 theme of the global observance called for collective efforts to address the severe impact on the well-being and livelihoods of billions worldwide.
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She enjoined individuals and communities to take action by spreading awareness, advocating with those in power and mobilising resources.
Moeti said, “The goal is to build a world where no one lives with river blindness, leprosy does not lead to societal shunning and anaemia from
soil-transmitted worms do not debilitate individuals.”
She listed achievements aimed at eliminating the diseases to include the 18 million fewer people requiring interventions, 19 countries eliminating at least one NTD, and Togo’s historic elimination of four diseases – river blindness, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, and guinea worm disease.
She also said Yaws is also on the brink of being eliminated.
The Regional Director said public-private partnerships, contributions from non-governmental organisations, and the Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network, along with pharmaceutical donations have been key contributors to success.
She noted that research, development, and innovation play vital roles in enabling effective interventions, adding, “We need to unite, build new partnerships, ensure sustainable funding, and provide countries with resources to eliminate these ancient diseases.”
Moeti also said that increased awareness led to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts, targeting vectors carrying NTDs.
She added, “Yet, Africa still bears 40 per cent of the global burden of NTD cases”, Moeti said and stressed the need to maintain momentum and translate political commitment into transformative action.
“The Kigali Declaration call for high-level commitment and the launch of the Mwele Malacela Mentorship Programme for Women in NTDs underscore leadership role.”
