Investments key to sustaining progress on NTD’s elimination – WHO

The World Health Organisation says neglected tropical diseases globally, have continued to plague the poorest members of communities, especially in areas where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are inadequate.

The global health agency said although millions have been liberated from the burden of neglected tropical diseases, many are still trapped by the disease in a cycle of poverty and stigma.

In a new report titled “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023,” the WHO said about 1.65 billion people were estimated to require treatment for at least one NTD, globally.

It said about 16 countries accounted for 80% of the global NTD burden and as many as 179 countries and territories reported at least one case of NTDs in 2021 alone.

However, the new progress report indicated that the number of people requiring NTD interventions fell by 80 million between 2020 and 2021, while eight countries were certified NTD’s free in 2022.

‘‘As of December 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD and more countries were in the process of achieving this target, said the report.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General speaking on the report said despite the progress made, there was still a lot of work to be done