Today, on World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, WHO released a new situation report, titled World Neglected Tropical Diseases Report 2023 (in English), which highlights the progress made and the challenges in managing NTDs around the world, in the context of disruptions related to COVID-19.
NTDs continue to disproportionately affect the poorest members of the global community, primarily in areas with inadequate water security, sanitation and access to health care. Although 179 countries and territories reported at least one case of NTDs in 2021, 16 countries accounted for 80% of the global burden of these diseases. Globally, approximately 1.65 billion people are estimated to need treatment for at least one NTD.
The new progress report shows that the number of people needing NTD interventions fell by 80 million between 2020 and 2021, and eight countries were certified or validated as having eliminated an NTD in 2022 alone. As of December 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD and more countries were on track to achieve this target.
The achievements achieved in 2021-2022 are the result of a decade of significant progress. In 2021, 25% fewer people required NTD interventions compared to 2010, and more than one billion people received treatment each year between 2016 and 2019 through NTD treatment interventions. mass.
“Across the world, millions of people have been freed from the burden of neglected tropical diseases, which keep those affected in cycles of poverty and stigma,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. . “However, as indicated in this progress report, much remains to be done. The good news is that we have the tools and the know-how not only to save lives and prevent suffering, but also to ensure that entire communities and countries are free of these diseases. It is time to act now, to act together and invest to defeat NTDs”.
The report also notes the significant impact of COVID-19 on community responses and on access to health facilities, as well as on health commodity supply chains. As a result, 34% fewer people received treatment for NTDs between 2019 and 2020, although a general resumption of activities led to an 11% increase in cure rates in 2021, when around 900 million people received treatment. received treatment.
Let’s act now. Let’s act together. Let’s invest to defeat neglected tropical diseases.
The new report emphasizes the increased efforts and investments needed to close the gaps and accelerate progress towards achieving the targets set in the Roadmap for NTDs by 2030. To achieve the targets set in the Roadmap roadmap for NTDs and enable countries to meet their commitments to provide quality NTD services to affected populations, it is essential to promote country ownership and accountability, as well as sustainability and predictability of funding, including stronger domestic funding.
Multisectoral collaboration and partnerships are key to achieving this. Last week, WHO and Gilead Sciences signed a new agreement to donate 304,700 vials of AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin B, for injection) for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in the countries most affected by the disease, thus extending their previous agreement until 2025. The new collaboration over a period of three years is estimated at US$11.3 million and also includes financial support for the WHO.
WHO invites more partners and donors to come forward and help fill the existing gaps that prevent the large-scale implementation of NTD activities at global and local levels. Later this week, on the occasion of the 152nd session of the WHO Executive Board, Member States will consider the admission of The Carter Center into official relations with WHO.
WHO’s work on NTDs in 2021 and 2022 resulted in the development of more than 100 scientific guidance, tools and other information products to support the global community working in the fight against NTDs. against NTDs, including countries in need. The Open WHO platform has launched an NTD channel that offers 36 training courses on 19 different topics for healthcare workers. WHO continues to evaluate and approve new medicines to treat neglected tropical diseases and works tirelessly to ensure equity and human rights in all NTD services.
On the occasion of World NTD Day under the theme: “Act now. Let’s act together. Invest to beat neglected tropical diseases,” WHO calls on everyone, including leaders and communities, to address the inequalities that drive NTDs and make bold and sustainable investments to liberate the most vulnerable communities. around the world who are affected by NTDs out of the vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
Notes to Editors
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 conditions mostly prevalent in tropical areas. NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins. These diseases have devastating health, social and economic consequences and, when not fatal, very often cause lifelong social stigma and the resulting economic hardship.
These are the following diseases: Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue fever and chikungunya, dracunculiasis, echinococcosis, foodborne trematode infections, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and other deep mycoses, onchocerciasis, rabies, scabies and other ectoparasitosis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, snakebite envenomation, taeniasis/cysticercosis, trachoma and yaws.
In 2020, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Roadmap for NTDs (2021-2030). In 2021, the World Health Assembly announced that January 30 would be recognized annually as World NTD Day.
