WHO calls for more action to end ‘cycles of poverty and stigma’ related to tropical diseases — Global Issues
Tick Forgotten World Tropical Diseases DayThe United Nations agency has issued a report highlights advances and challenges in providing care for these 20 conditions, of which mainly affects the poorest people in the world.
NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins, and can be fatal. Other examples are Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, chikungunya, rabies, scabies, and yaws.
Stigma and difficulties
They are prevalent in the tropics, mainly where there is a lack of safe water, sanitation, and access to health care. These diseases often cause lifelong stigma, lead to economic hardship, and have serious health, social and economic consequences.
Although nearly 180 countries and territories have reported at least one case of NTDs in 2021, only 16 countries account for 80% of the global burden. Globally, some 1.65 million people is estimated to require treatment for at least one of these conditions.
“Across the world, millions have been freed from the burden of neglected tropical diseases that keep them trapped in a cycle of poverty and discrimination.” speak Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO.
“But as this progress report shows, We still have a lot of work to do” he added.
build on progress
The report shows the number of people needing NTD intervention 80 million yen reduction between 2020 and 2021.
Furthermore, eight countries eliminated at least one of these diseases during this period. As of last year, this number is 47 countries and many more are on the way to achieving this goal.
The WHO says these achievements build on a decade of significant progress, with 25% fewer people needing intervention in 2021 than in 2010.
In addition, more than one billion people were treated for NTDs each year between 2016 and 2019.
Impact of COVID-19
However, the COVID-19 The pandemic has also had a significant impact on community-based interventions, access to healthcare facilities, and the supply chain of healthcare products.
The result is, less than 34 percent of people treated between 2019 and 2020, even if the general resumption of activities increased the likelihood of recovery the following year by 11%, with around 900 million people receiving treatment.
In 2020, the WHO’s governing body, the World Health Assembly, adopted an NTD roadmap for the next decade and the report highlighted the need for more action and investment to reverse delays and accelerate progress.
Accountability, finance and partnerships
Promoting national ownership and accountability, as well as sustainable and predictable financing, will be key to delivering quality consumer services.
WHO also emphasizes the importance of multisectoral collaboration and partnerships.
Last week, the UN agency signed a new agreement with Gilead Science, an American biopharmaceutical research company, to donate 304,700 vials of AmBisome, an antifungal drug used to treat visceral leishmaniasis in the countries hardest hit by the disease. , such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Somalia and South Sudan.
This new three-year partnership, extending the previous agreement to 2025, is estimated at $11.3 million and will also assist in improving coverage and access to diagnostics and diagnostics. treatment.
WHO calls for more partners and donors to fill the existing gaps that are hindering the comprehensive implementation of NTD activities at the global and local levels.
