The World Health Organization states that investment is crucial in addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) globally.
WHO expressed this in a recent document titled “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023.”
The document indicates that prompt investment in NTD will assist the global community in effectively alleviating the effects of these diseases.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, remarked that millions of individuals worldwide had been freed from the burden of NTD, which kept individuals ensnared in cycles of poverty and stigma.
“However, as this progress report demonstrates, we still have substantial work ahead.
“The encouraging news is that we possess the tools and expertise not merely to save lives and avert suffering, but to liberate entire communities and nations from these diseases.
“It’s time to take action now, unite efforts, and invest in NTDs,” Ghebreyesus stated.
He mentioned that the report also highlighted the considerable impact of COVID-19 on community-driven initiatives, access to healthcare facilities, and supply chains for medical products.
“This resulted in 34 percent fewer individuals receiving treatment for NTDs between 2019 and 2020, although a general resumption of activities allowed for an 11 percent rise in recovery in 2021, when about 900 million individuals were treated,” he said.
The WHO leader emphasized that the new report indicated a greater need for investment to reverse delays and hasten progress towards the NTD roadmap objectives by 2030.
He asserted that fostering national ownership and accountability, alongside the sustainability and predictability of funding, including enhanced domestic financing, are essential to fulfilling the NTD roadmap aims.
According to him, this will empower nations to meet their obligations in delivering quality NTD services to affected populations.
He stated that cross-sector collaboration and partnerships are crucial to realize this goal.
He added that last week, WHO and Gilead Sciences established a new agreement for the donation of 304,700 vials of AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin B for injection) for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in countries most severely impacted by the disease.
According to him, the new three-year partnership is valued at 11.3 million dollars and also provides for financial support to WHO.
He mentioned that WHO called upon more partners and contributors to fill current gaps that impede the comprehensive implementation of NTD activities at both global and local scales.
“Later this week, the 152nd session of the WHO Executive Board will consider the formal relationship with the Carter Center.
“WHO’s NTD initiatives in 2021 and 2022 resulted in over 100 scientific guidelines, tools, and other informational products, to support the global NTD community, including countries in need.
“The Open WHO platform launched an NTD channel that offers 36 training courses for health workers covering 19 different subjects,” Ghebreyesus stated.
He mentioned that WHO continued to assess and authorize new medications to address NTDs, and worked diligently to ensure equity and human rights in all NTD service provisions.
He noted that World NTD Day, under the theme “Act now. Act together. Invest in NTD,” calls for everyone to confront the disparities that exacerbate NTDs.
This, he indicated, would necessitate bold, sustainable investments to liberate the most vulnerable communities worldwide affected by NTDs.
”It’s time to take action now, unite efforts, and invest in NTDs,” Ghebreyesus stated.
According to WHO, NTDs continue to disproportionately affect the poorest segments of the global population, primarily in regions with inadequate water safety, sanitation, and healthcare access.
It noted although as many as 179 countries and territories reported at least one case of NTD in 2021, 16 countries accounted for 80 percent of the global NTD burden.
“Approximately 1.65 billion individuals were estimated to need treatment for at least one NTD worldwide,” it stated.
It added that the new progress report revealed that the number of individuals needing NTD interventions declined by 80 million between 2020 and 2021.
This indicates that eight countries were certified or validated as having eradicated one NTD in 2022 alone.
It reported that as of December 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD, with more nations in the pursuit of this goal.
“Achievements in 2021-2022 build on a decade of notable progress.
“In 2021, 25 percent fewer individuals required interventions against NTDs compared to 2010, and over one billion individuals were treated for NTDs annually between 2016 and 2019 through mass treatment initiatives. (NAN)
